The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department recently hosted its second conference on the topic ‘Legal Work After COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities’ with the aim of raising legal awareness. The virtual conference saw a number of government entities and Dubai-based lawyers and legal firms sharing their insights about the topic in the presence of over 1,500 participants.

During the event, officials and participants discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the future of legal sector. Furthermore, they explored various ways to strengthen professional excellence in the post-COVID phase.

In addition, participants shared their experiences on promoting business continuity in the sector along with the important role of digital transformation in delivering justice and other related challenges and aspirations.

In his opening address, Dr Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, Director General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, hailed the UAE's vision and proactive planning that helped the country in overcoming social and economic repercussions of the pandemic. At a time when many countries are struggling to recover from the crisis, the UAE has showcased its ability to overcome unforeseen crises.

Dr Belhoul underlined changes brought by COVID-19 prompted the legal sector to rethink its vision and plans.

The conference will further discuss potential ways the legal community can collaborate to share a new future for the profession along with enhancing excellence and upholding the values of justice and rule of law.

The Conference also coincides with the celebration of the next 50 years of the UAE’s development. In line with this occasion, the Conference will highlight insights on various ways the legal sector can support the vision of the UAE's leadership and its founding fathers.

"With Expo 2020 Dubai set to open new horizons of investment, the legal sector has an opportunity to raise its contributions to the UAE’s efforts to be an exceptional global role model," he added.

During the conference, Maha Al Gergawi, Senior Vice-President of Political Affairs at the Expo 2020 Dubai, made a presentation explaining the event's significant role in building the future and strengthening the UAE Vision 2071.

In her presentation, she underlined the important of Expo 2020 in giving a new impetus to the UAE’s aspirations for economic, social and cultural progress. In addition, Abdullah Rashid, head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Department at the Ministry of Justice, underscored the various efforts taken by UAE authorities to combat money laundering and regulate financial practices and transactions.

In a session titled ‘The DIFC as a Case Study in a Post-COVID-19 Environment’, Jacques Visser, head of the Legal Affairs division of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), discussed the clear and flexible regulatory framework of the Centre which is based on global best practices. This framework helped the Centre in handling the exceptional circumstances created by the pandemic.

Later, Dr Juma Obaid Dhaen AlFalasi, Director of Advocates and Legal Consultants Affairs Directorate and Chairman of the Information Security Committee at the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, presented on the title - ‘Digital Justice and the COVID-19 Crisis: Development Requirements and Guarantees of Trust and Efficacy’. As part of her presentation, she explained various digital transformations in the judicial sector during the pandemic.

Prof. Dr Muhammad Butti Al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Association For Lawyers and Legal, shared the details of ‘The Future of the Legal Profession in the Aftermath of COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities’.

In conclusion, the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department commended leading government entities which supported the vision, strategy and projects of the Department during the fight against COVID-19. The Department also recognised a number of officials of external organisations for their consistent support in carrying out the Department's functions.

Furthermore, the Department honoured Zayed Al Shamsi, former president of the Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal (EALL) and Ali Musabbah Dhahi, former secretary general of EALL and member of the legal profession protection committee, for cooperating with the department as members of the Association’s Board of Directors. At the same time, the Department commended Yousuf bin Hammad and Abdul Moneim bin Suwaidan for extending support to department, both as members of the Advocates and Legal Consultants Professional Conduct Committee and legal advisors.