The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department was established as per Law No. (32) of 2008 as one of the Government Departments affiliated to His Highness The Ruler's Court, with a view to providing various legal services to the Government and Government entities in the Emirate of Dubai. This includes the supervision of all legal matters involving the Government of Dubai and its entities, to keep pace with the progress achieved by the Emirate of Dubai in economic, social and developmental fields. The inspiring vision of the Legal Affairs Department is excellence in Government legal work and its mission is to enhance the level of legal services provided to those dealing with the Department, in line with international best practice.
In particular, the Department has the following duties and powers:
1- Legal Representation of Government Entities
The Department receives and considers all complaints and claims lodged against Government Entities and aims to seek amicable settlement of these. It also represents the Government and Government entities in claims and disputes before competent judicial entities, conciliation and arbitration centers and tribunals.
2- Regulation of the Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Profession
The Department has the authority to regulate the advocacy and legal consultancy professions in the Emirate of Dubai. This includes, licensing of advocacy and legal consultancy firms to operate in the Emirate, registration of advocates and legal consultants on the roll (prepared and maintained by the Department), qualifying and training advocates and legal consultants in all legal disciplines through training courses, programs and workshops.
3- Support and Provision of Legal Services
To meet the needs of the Government and Government entities in the Emirate with regard to legal services, the Department is responsible for providing legal support, which includes:
a. Reviewing all contracts and agreements to which the Government or Government entities are a party, and taking part in the negotiation of the terms and conditions stipulated in such contracts and agreements thus ensuring that the interests of the Government are best protected and in compliance with the legislation in force in the UAE.
b. Assisting in the drafting of policies related to legislation and conducting comparative studies.
c. Reviewing all constitutional documents of corporations and companies established by the Government, or by Government entities or to which they are a party.