UAE, May 3, 2016- The Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) discussed, during an introductory meeting held on Tuesday, 3 May 2016 at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club, the important role of legislation as an effective tool to achieve welfare, growth, and stability. The event, which was held under the theme, 'Official Gazette and Legislative Audit,' highlighted the vital role of legislation in supporting the government strategy to build a distinguished city where all the elements of a pleasant life are available. 

The introductory meeting was attended by more than 150 legal experts and representatives from 45 Dubai Government entities that are concerned with legislation. The event was aimed at supporting the SLC's bid to further develop the legislative process, ensure the optimal use of legislation, and enhance the legal system. 

The meeting included three sessions. The first session, 'The Substantive Provisions of the Official Gazette of Dubai Government and Regulatory Resolutions', was facilitated by Legal Advisor Mr. Mohammed Al Etawi, Head of the Technical Office of the SLC General Secretariat. Al Etawi discussed the close relationship between legislation and government strategy. He also talked about the types of regulatory resolutions and how they differ from administrative resolutions applicable to specific persons or cases. Mr. Al Etawi also highlighted the features of the Official Gazette and the legal effect of publishing legislation in the Official Gazette according to Article (6) of Law No. (32) of 2015 Concerning the Official Gazette of the Government of Dubai.

The second session, 'Managing the Official Gazette of the Government of Dubai', was facilitated by Mr. Salem Al Ahmad, Head of Research and Publications Section at the SLC General Secretariat. In his presentation, Al Ahmad explained how the Official Gazette pre- and post-publication processes are managed. He also talked about the binding effect of publication in the Official Gazette and the role of the SLC in this regard. Al Ahmad also explained the obligations of government entities with respect to the Official Gazette, as an important strategic tool, being the official periodic publication that contains Dubai legislation in the Arabic language.

In the third session, a presentation on 'Legislation Audit,' was made by Dr. Belaisha Bin Belaisha, Director of the Legislative Audit Office at the SLC General Secretariat. During his presentation, Dr. Belaisha has highlighted the objectives of the legislative audit policy in raising the efficiency of government entities' implementation of legislation; promoting awareness and the sense of responsibility; enhancing compliance with legislation; and defining risks and shortcomings in the legislative framework. The session also discussed the pivotal role of the SLC General Secretariat in conducting legislative audit by verifying compliance by government entities with the legislation in force, with a view to supporting the Dubai development march and achieving the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021.

In his welcome speech, His Excellency Ahmed Bin Meshar, SLC Secretary General, said that the introductory meeting is a major boost to the efforts aimed at achieving proper legal assimilation of the provisions of legislation while also ensuring their proper legal implementation, in order to develop a legislative process that ensures drafting legislation which reflects current developments and reaches out for the future. He added that the move is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the SLC. He pointed out that the Official Gazette, which was first released in 1961, is an important pillar for building a legal knowledge base that contributes to raising the awareness of government entities and community members on their legal roles, rights, and obligations.

Bin Meshar pointed out that the focus on legislative audit is part of SLC’s commitment to fulfil its responsibilities, which include following up the implementation of legislation in force by government entities; and ensuring compliance with legislation in line with the objective of Dubai Plan to build a responsible and credible government committed to the consistent and fair implementation of laws and government regulations.

“Legislative audit is important, and this motivates us to coordinate closely with all local government entities to ensure the consistency and integration of the legislation in force and promote the principles of the rule of law and legitimacy, in order to support the goal of creating a pioneering and distinguished government. The success of our introductory meeting will motivate us to launch similar initiatives that would open new horizons of cooperation, integration, and effective coordination with local government entities. This is in line with our mission to create a favorable legal environment through up-to-date legislation and sound and effective legal opinions,” concluded Bin Meshar.