SLC conducts informative workshop on “Distribution of Powers under Constitutions of Federal States”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 May 2022 - The General Secretariat of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai recently conducted, a virtual informative workshop titled ‘The Distribution of Legislative, Executive and International Powers under Constitutions of Federal States’. Facilitated by Legal Advisor Dr. Faisal Hassan Al Omari, the workshop was attended by a distinguished group of SLC legal professionals, and representatives from 45 government entities in the Emirate of Dubai.

Conducting this workshop reflects the SLC keenness on collaborating with all concerned entities in the emirate on providing legal officers in local government entities with the necessary legal knowledge, raising legislative awareness, and instilling a legal culture that is aligned with the international best practices, with a view to supporting the remarkable development process undertaken by Dubai.

Topics highlighted during the workshop included: the concept of the state and its basic elements, as well as the forms and types of states; theories for the emergence of the state; and the conditions and methods that facilitate the formation of a federal state. The advantages of the federal system, the methods of drafting constitutions in federal countries, their importance, and types were among the topics touched upon during the workshop. The workshop further reviewed the methods of distributing legislative, executive, and international powers under federal constitutions, with specific focus on how these powers are distributed under the UAE Constitution. Lastly, a successful and distinguished model federal system was also presented in the workshop.

Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, SLC Secretary General, said, “In performing its duty of developing agile and balanced government legislation, the SLC is committed to the highest levels of credibility, professionalism, positivity, diligence, excellence, and transparency. The workshop, which is part of the SLC legislative awareness events, presented an important perspective of the theories for the emergence of the state and the various systems of government. The workshop was designed to achieve the following objective: to enrich the knowledge of legal officers at local government entities by providing them with information on the various systems of government adopted around the world; and to keep them updated on the legislative international best practices. This event was in line with the SLC vision to consolidate the legislative and legal system by developing agile legislation that keeps pace with the fast-paced present changes while also ensuring readiness for the future.”

Bin Meshar also reaffirmed that the ‘SLC remains committed to implementing the directives of our wise leadership to disseminate legal knowledge by adopting latest methods’. The SLC would also strive to keep pace with the rapidly accelerating global transformations and contribute to the nation’s development by developing the most efficient and agile legislation on various sectors.

Legal Advisor Dr. Faisal Hassan Al Omari said that the workshop included a detailed explanation on the forms and types of states in terms of sovereignty, political and constitutional structure, and touched upon the advantages of the federal system and what sets it apart from the confederal system. He also discussed the various methods of distributing legislative, executive, and international powers under the federal constitution, defining the powers of each of the federal states, and member states of the union. Moreover, the workshop discussed the distribution of powers under the UAE Constitution and showcased models of successful federal systems.

Dr. Al Omari further elaborated that the workshop included many important topics for discussion as the SLC aimed at delivering knowledge and explaining the bigger picture, while encouraging discussions that would enhance efforts to spread awareness and promote the legislative culture among government employees in the emirate.
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