The UAE Cabinet has approved laws governing and organising the legal profession and consultancy. The regulation, announced on Wednesday, addresses some provision to structure and modernise the legal industry.
It introduced organised frameworks for the legal consultancy profession, which has not been regulated before.
The new law also included a format for licensing foreign law firms and legal consultancy offices, allowing for greater global engagement while ensuring compliance with local standards. It also updated the conditions and procedures for licensing lawyers.
Other key amendments included updates to the rights and duties of lawyers, which aim to strengthen the relationship between legal professionals and their clients. These provisions are designed to promote transparency, ethical practices, and professional accountability within the legal industry.
The regulations now cover the registration process for legal researchers, advisors, and representatives working in law firms, ensuring that all individuals involved in legal services are properly recognised and licensed.
The Cabinet also introduced amendments to the conditions for renewing registration in the lawyer’s register. Lawyers must complete relevant training courses or participate in scientific seminars and conferences. This will ensure lawyers stay updated on legal developments and continuously improve their skills.
The new rules simplify the conditions and procedures for registering trainee lawyers, while organising training programmes that will equip them for the legal profession.
Key provisions of the regulations:
- The first-ever specialised regulation for law firms and legal consultancy companies in the country.
- The regulation allows law firms and legal consultancy companies to be established as either a partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship.
- It outlines the essential details for the company’s founding contract, licensing procedures, and the necessary regulations for managing a professional firm.
- Lawyers and legal consultants are prohibited from being partners or working in more than one company to prevent conflicts of interest.
- The regulation also establishes guidelines for dealing with the suspension or death of a partner, as well as the requirement for all partners to be licensed to practice law.
