| 25 Feb 2010 |
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New law to allow women lawyers to take up family issues
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RIYADH: Women lawyers are still unlikely to deal with criminal cases in Saudi courts, said Vice President of the Saudi National Committee for Lawyers Hadi Al-Yami.
Al-Yami, who is also a member of the Human Rights Commission, added that although women make up half of society and crimes can be committed by both genders, women lawyers are still unlikely to represent women defendants in court.
The vice president added that a new bill to be announced by Justice Minister Mohamed Al-Issa will allow women lawyers to deal with cases relating to child custody, divorce and other family-related issues.
"This is an excellent move as it would give women lawyers ... a chance to argue cases in courts," said Al-Yami.
She added that a lawyers' system introduced in 2001 awarded licenses to only practicing male lawyers. Although there are no restrictions on women lawyers practicing law, there is no clarity on the issue and so women are not issued licenses to practice law.
At present, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot deal with cases in actual courts.
The new bill is to be issued as part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's plans to develop the Kingdom's judiciary. The plans also include a move that would allow women lawyers into court simply on presentation of their IDs.
According to officials at the Justice Ministry, the new regulations are being introduced to facilitate judicial procedures and allow women to deal with their solicitors directly.
Lawyer Sultan Bin Zahim believes the move to grant women lawyers the chance to represent cases relating to child custody, divorce and other family-related issues is a positive one, "as many women are eager to find lawyers with whom they feel relaxed and confident."
Bin Zahim said it is crucial that women lawyers are allowed to deal with such cases, which make up the largest portion of disputes brought to courts across the world.
"Commercial and criminal law cases will surely follow," said Bin Zahim, adding that the type of cases that women lawyers deal with will be inevitably widened.
This is a view shared by Al-Yami in that allowing women lawyers to deal with these cases will lead to other types of cases.
By WALAA HAWARI
© Arab News 2010
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