Dubai International Financial Centre Authority Signs MoU with Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department Concerning Licensing and Practice of Legal Profession in the Emirate

Agreement is conducive to developing legal services in line with global best practices

Dubai-UAE: 3 April 2017 –The Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFC Authority) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD) to collaborate on projects regulating the licensing and practice of the legal profession in the Emirate.

The MoU, which aims to enhance collaboration between DIFC and the LAD, particularly in relation to regulating the licensing and practice of the legal profession in the emirate of Dubai, was signed by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of the DIFC Authority Board of Directors and His Excellency Dr Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, Director General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department.

HE Essa Kazim said that the MoU would boost mutual cooperation with the Department, stating: “This MoU falls in line with our 2024 Strategy, as we encourage robust best-practices and further develop services and business capabilities that ensure the delivery of growth in the coming years. DIFC has evolved as the most transparent, secure, and professional regulatory and legal system in the region.

We are committed to complying with the LAD’s regulations and procedures in respect of registration and licensing legal practitioners in the DIFC. This is conducive to developing the legal services provided in the Emirate, in line with global best practices.”

The MoU enables both sides to work together towards launching initiatives to ensure that legal consultants and the firms operating in the Centre are properly registered and licensed as mandated by the DIFC Authority and Legal Affairs Department, in accordance with the regulations of both entities.

It also seeks to launch projects to streamline the requirements of licensing firms authorised by the Department and the Authority to avoid duplication for firms licensed by both entities.

Dr Belhoul said: “The Legal Affairs Department is committed to developing common work processes and capitalising on shared expertise to achieve common goals whilst striving to raise the level of legal services provided in the Emirate.

“The new and creative ideas launched under this Memorandum will in turn contribute to a raised awareness among advocacy and legal consultancy firms, regarding the LAD’s requirements for practising the legal profession.”