Dr Ali Al Hosani, Executive Director at the Ministry of Justice told Khaleej Times that amongst the most important legislations issued this year was the law regarding amendments in traffic law. The new laws enforced in 2008 include:

Federal Traffic Law in March 1
The law, which went into force on March 1 introduces new penalties for a variety of motoring offences. The aim was to reduce the number of deaths due to the road mishaps.

The new system, called the Black Points System was introduced aiming to curb the 'alarming' rise in deaths.

Motorists caught flouting the legislation will be given 'black points', now called 'Traffic Points' in their licence. Some of these Points call for hefty fines while in some offences, motorists might land up in prison. The Ministry of Interior has warned it was prepared to deport expatriates who repeatedly violate traffic laws.

Food Law in Abu Dhabi in May
To ensure the safety of food items. The law stipulates the imprisonment for at least three months or a fine of not less than Dh30,000 and not more than Dh200,000, or one of the two penalties against anyone who brings in or trades in food items that are harmful to health.

All those who trade in counterfeit products by adding unauthentic ingredients to food items to increase production, will face at least two months imprisonment and/or a fine of not less than Dh20,000, and not more than Dh150,000, or one of the two penalties.

Also, those who promote, distribute or contribute to information misleading the public regarding counterfeit or contaminated products will face a fine of at least Dh10,000.

Those who trade in pork products or alcoholic beverages without prior permission will face at least one month's jail term or a fine of not less than Dh15,000 and not exceeding Dh1,00,000. The punishment will double in all cases, namely in the event of repetition.

Animal Welfare Law in August
A federal law regarding animal welfare was enforced in August and defined the precautionary measures that should be taken to ensure for the proper care of animals.

According to the law, any person abusing animals will face a fine of not more than Dh5,000 and a prison term of one month. Leaving a sick out animal will invite a penalty of one year in jail and a fine of not more than Dh5,000.

The law called for creating a special department for animal welfare at the ministry of environment and water to guide and educate animal owners on how to adopt international best practices in this respect.

The law also spelt out methods for feeding, transporting, treating and slaughtering of animals. Involvement of animals in violent sports like bird and bull fighting and commercial abuse were banned.

Law on NGOs
According to the law, no group or entity will be allowed to offer social services without being publicly announced.

In a first-ever move of such kind by the UAE's Ministry of Social Affairs, the details of over 140 locally-based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) was expected to be made available on a dedicated web portal by the end of this year.

Besides acting as a comprehensive source of factual information, the portal will showcase the work of each organisation. All organisations will, however, put forward their own content, and will also list a calendar of events -- all supervised by the ministry.

DIFC Arbitration Law in September
The law opens up the Dubai International Financial Centre as a possible seat (or juridical place) of arbitration in the Middle East. It will enable the recently established DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre to provide neutral, efficient and reliable services for companies throughout the world. The enactment of the Law will help DIFC position itself as a world-class centre for arbitration.

The Arbitration Law covers all stages of the arbitral process, from agreement to recognition and, enforcement of arbitral awards. Universally applicable and compatible with both civil and common law systems, the new Law offers the international business community, international lawyers and arbitrators a comprehensive and modern set of rules and procedures for effective settlement of arbitration cases.

Dubai Fire Safety Regulations
Under the new regulations, it is mandatory for building contractors to obtain a Certificate of Conformity once the height of a building reaches 24 metres, and does not exceed 30 metres, before construction is allowed to proceed further.

The new regulations are more detailed and support the original law with the introduction of sub-sections. It will force companies to adhere to a minimum standard in safety requirements for buildings under construction.

Proposed laws:?

Protection of migrant workers

The interior ministry of the UAE is drafting new laws that will provide and strengthen protection against possible abuse and exploitation of migrant workers.

Maritime law
Currently, the authorities are working on a new maritime law which will streamline the work of vessels, navigation, rules and regulations pertaining to sea trade and marine work in general.

The penalties stipulated in the law range from imprisonment, detention and fine, and the amount of fine equals the magnitude of the committed crime.

The most prominent draft laws the Department of Planning and Economy in Abu Dhabi is the establishment of a new economic department.

The department is also working on a local draft law on investment. The law allows the flow of investments from all major sectors, especially the industry and services, in order to create an attractive and competitive environment and to boost the competitive position of the emirate.

Another draft law will be to streamline the issue of trade licences in the emirate.

Banking credit law
The UAE is in the process of issuing a new banking credit law by next year.

The Ministry of Finance has drafted the legislation which was referred to the Federal Cabinet for consideration.

Law on commercial companies
Other laws, which will be promulgated during this year, include a federal law on commercial companies. It sets conditions for licensing companies, and rules and regulations related to their work. The law is to toughen up the penalty stipulations. The law aims at laying down new articles to penalise the violators and to ensure the rights of the owners of trade brands.

Law on arbitration
The UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) has completed the draft federal law on arbitration and the implementation of arbitral awards. The draft law, prepared by the MoE in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, is expected to be ratified and issued soon. The law will establish provisions for domestic and international arbitration in the UAE and will enforce arbitral awards consistent with international obligations, including the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, also known as the New York Convention.

Water regulation law?
A federal law to streamline water consumption pattern in the UAE is on the anvil. The proposed law aims to streamline the water conservation strategy of the government so as to meet the future water demands in the country.

adel@khaleejtimes.com

By Adel Arafah

© Khaleej Times 2009

 

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