The UAE Cabinet has introduced Cabinet Decision No. 8 of 2025 which regulates the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 Regulating the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession.
The initial Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 sets out the requirements for practicing law in the UAE, including licensing, professional ethics, and duties of lawyers. It also covers the rights of lawyers, the lawyer-client relationship, and disciplinary procedures.
The new Decision regulates a range of the procedures:
- Controls and conditions for the equivalence of a university qualification for lawyers
- Conditions of practical training and studying programmes for trainee lawyers
- Enrolment in the Practising and Non-Practicing Lawyers Tables
- Licensing of non-citizen lawyers
- Assessment of the fees of the assigned lawyer in criminal cases
- Controls to promote lawyer’s services
- Organisation of law firms and legal consultancy offices and companies.
Citizen lawyers may be enrolled in the table of Practising Lawyers if they are 21 years of age or above; hold a bachelor's degree in law, Shari'ah law or its equi...