With the support of the Dubai International Finance Centre and the Department of Economic Development, the Government has pledged “combative investigations” into all claims of unlicensed legal services in the Emirate.
The Government has so far identified and acted on reports of 62 unlicensed providers consisting of both companies and individuals.
“The unlawful solicitation of clients and offering of legal services by an unlicensed entity or individual is in direct breach of the law,” it said.
“[We] shall not tolerate any contraventions of the laws and shall impose heavy sanctions and punish all those found to be engaging in unlicensed legal services.”
Legal service providers who are found to operating without a licence will be penalised with monetary fines, suspensions of commercial activity and office closures.
The crackdown, which is being run by the Government’s legal affairs department, will “aggressively” seek out companies using marketing and advertising to trick the public into believing the services they receive are equal or better than those of a legal firm.
Dubai’s Advocates and Legal Consultants directory, which lists firms and individuals authorised to provide legal services, consists of 308 advocacy firms and 110 legal consultancy firms.
Responsibility
“The [legal services] department is mandated by its establishing law to investigate all reports of unlicensed legal service providers and take action against any unlicensed practice of law in the Emirate,” the Government said.
“The department has the responsibility to protect the public by taking action against those who illegally offer legal services or misrepresent themselves as authorised to provide legal services in the absence of acquiring a licence from the department.”
Lowai Mohammed Belhoul, director general of the legal affairs department, added: “The legislation in force supports the Government’s efforts to fully, regulate, protect and develop the legal profession.
“It allows the department to monitor the standard of legal professionals and aims to enhance the confidence of the general public and the business community by providing greater protection from unauthorised individuals and firms.”
