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Access to high-quality legal aid continues to prove costly and is sometimes, an impossibility for the average Dubai residents. Residents stuck in a legal quandary in the UAE say affordability of legal services in the country needs to improve, as single consultations with a lawyer can cost Dh5,000.
Several expatriates Khaleej Times spoke to, said pro-bono services need to be made available for individuals belonging to low-income groups, domestic violence cases, workers' compensation cases and exceptions could be made for humanitarian issues.
Simonne Cooper, an Australian national and businesswomen based in Dubai, said: "As a small-time business owner in Dubai, it is sometimes a common place for people to seek legal advice. However, there are times when firms charge individuals a minimum of Dh5,000 for a simple consultation."
Following the success from the first edition of the free legal clinic and in a bid to provide respite to the high costs for legal aid in the UAE, the Dubai Economic Department (DED), in association with legal firm BSA Ahmed bin Hezeem and Associates LLP, provided a free legal clinic to approximately 300 individuals in three locations across Dubai on Monday.
The clinics took place in three separate locations including the DED Head Office in Deira, Tas'heel in Oud Metha and Al Twar Centre. A total of 25 experienced lawyers provided free legal information to individuals who attended the event.
Cooper suggested that free legal services are beneficial in domestic violence cases and workers compensation cases. She explained: "In cases where the husband is the sole breadwinner in a household, and if the wife is victim to domestic abuse, she will not be able to afford legal services."
She added: "Pro-bono services are also required for internal employee disputes. Employees who have been unfairly dismissed, or have not been paid salaries for several months, cannot afford lawyers' fees."
Dr Ahmed bin Hezeem, senior partner at BSA, said: "We are well aware that not everybody has the financial means to consult a lawyer, nor do they have the knowledge on how to address these issues. After two decades operating in the region, the legal clinic is our way to give back to the community, by offering help and support in what we do best.
Speaking about the kind of cases that were presented at the event, Dr Hezeem said: "A mix of questions were raised. Some issues were pertaining to labour, financial cases, real estate, and a few personal and family issues were raised.
Nadia Qayum, a British national financial planner, who attended the free clinic, strongly recommended pro-bono services should be offered to members of the general public.
"More free legal clinics for individuals working on the mainland would definitely be helpful. However, pro-bono services should ideally support the most vulnerable people in the community."
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