Justice minister hails the rule of law in the UAE

Dr Hadef Al Dhahiri urged lawyers to share best practices and network to better uphold the rule of law in the UAE and Arab world as a whole.

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ABU DHABI // The Minister of Justice hailed the importance of the rule of law at the start of a two-day conference for lawyers and legal experts in the capital on Tuesday.

In his opening speech at Jumeirah Etihad Towers hotel, Dr Hadef Al Dhahiri urged lawyers in attendance to share best practices and network to better uphold the rule of law in the UAE and Arab world. “The importance of the rule of law, and its support through cooperative societies of lawyers, can never be understated and this conference is indicative of that,” he said.

“The principle of the rule of law is the most important pillar of state law, and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has, since the inception of the UAE, heavily emphasised the importance of state constitution and legislation.”

The Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal Consultants’ annual conference looks at the role of lawyers in support of the rule of law.

Zayed Al Shamsi, chairman of the association, said: “We hope through concerted efforts of all our colleagues that the findings of this conference will reach all the concerned authorities who have already been so diligent in their work to achieve excellence.”

The first day comprised of talks that focused on sharing best practices and discussing Arab law, and involved lawyers, media experts and consultants from all countries of the GCC, Iraq and Egypt.

The special address on the first day of the conference was given by Dhafer Al Hussaini, a human-rights activist in the region, on the role of lawyers in support of international human rights.

The second day will begin with a special address by Farooq Hamada, legal counsel to the Diwan of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the lessons learnt from Sheikh Zayed on jurisprudence and fundamentalism of legislation.

Attendees include Arab heads of courts and ministers of justice and heads of bar associations in Arab and Arabian Gulf countries, as well senior lawyers and advisers of the International Union of Lawyers.

nalwasmi@thenational.ae