Saudi
Arabia's justice minister says his department is drafting a law that would
allow female lawyers to argue legal cases in court for the first time.
Mohammed Al-Eissa told reporters on Saturday the bill will be issued in the
coming days as part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s
“plan to develop the justice system.” The law would mark a major step for
female lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in
government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases before
court.
Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody,
divorce and other family-related issues.
The proposed new law to be issued by the Ministry of Justice would also
allow Saudi women to complete certain procedures with notaries without
presenting any witnesses.
“In accordance with the new law, women will be able to complete their
preliminary procedures with notaries by just presenting their IDs,” said
Osama Al-Mirdas, assistant deputy minister of justice for documents.
He said women would be able to complete judicial procedures for
registration of properties, housing plans, merging of real estate
properties of different persons or classification of property ownership, by
just presenting their IDs. “They can also use IDs for mortgaging real
estate at nongovernmental funds and for authorizing corporate contracts,
sponsorship and gifts.” Al-Mirdas said the new regulations were planned in
order to facilitate judicial procedures and break the routine barriers that
obstruct women from approaching notaries. “Non-Saudis also need not bring
any friends or relatives as witnesses for the endorsement of power of
attorney and they can get the work done by just showing their IDs,” he
said. However, non-Saudi women should bring at least one person — a close
relative — as a witness, along with her ID.
Al-Mirdas said cases of suspending property ownership and prevention of
power of attorneys would be monitored through the Ministry’s computer
system and the notaries would not be able to complete procedures related to
property registration or power of attorney for persons who are blacklisted.
“The ministry will also publish a format for powers of attorney on its
website in order to help people to prepare their applications on that basis
before presenting them to notaries. We have also updated the guidelines for
judicial procedures for distribution,” he said.
The ministry has also introduced a new documentation system in tune with
the systems followed in advanced countries, he said, adding that it had
reduced the burden of courts.
“The new procedures are aimed at reducing the burden of those who approach
judicial authorities to get their works done and speed up things without
affecting the correctness of documents and soundness of procedures. They
also aim at realizing justice and protecting the rights of people,” Al-Mirdas
said.