Emirati women lawyers occupy pride of place in legal profession

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Emirati women lawyers occupy pride of place in legal profession

Dubai - Emirati women have long been empowered and their practice of the law is yet another achievement shaping their career path.

by

Marie Nammour

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Published: Sun 4 Aug 2019, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 4 Aug 2019, 3:21 PM

Among the many advocates who attend the Dubai Courts, about 20 per cent are Emirati women lawyers. They take up and win cases just as professionally and efficiently as their male peers.
Emirati women have long been empowered and their practice of the law is yet another achievement shaping their career path.
For Amal Al Subaei, an Emirati lawyer, female lawyers are more competitive and accomplished and more keen to follow the procedures precisely (than men).
"We are very happy and content being Emirati lawyers under the wise leadership of our country. We enjoy widespread respect," Al Subaei said.
However, there are some challenges and difficulties, according to Al Subaei. "There are some intruders in our profession. They work in the field without any legal justification. Typing centres, for example, unlawfully compete with us and offer legal services."
For her, a lawyer plays a key part in guiding the litigants towards the right path of securing their rights rather than "using" their clients or squandering their money.
Al Subaei pointed out that some clients prefer to hand over their case to a man while others seek a female lawyer's legal assistance. However, some others don't mind the gender. "It just depends on the nature of the case. There is no competition among lawyers. Lawyers represent themselves and their profession. We have mutual respect. We even help each other in some cases when needed," she said.
She said that in her long experience in the profession, she has realised that if it is a personal status case then a female lawyer is most often preferred, especially if the client is a woman. "In general, there is no discrimination. It depends on the clients' decision, there is no criteria. We can't force anyone."
Dr Hawra Moosa, another Emirati lawyer, said that some clients think that the male lawyer is "stronger" and more "rigorous" in handling cases. "They think that the court room is sort of a battle field and that a "boxing match" will take place between the lawyers."'
However, she highlighted the fact that some clients have a great deal of trust in the female lawyer in the sense that she is more keen to take care of the case and dedicate her personal time to follow it up. "All lawyers face challenges, not just female ones," Dr Moosa pointed out.
For Sudanese legal consultant Reem Abdullah Ahmad, the clients, whether women or men, feel more at ease when a woman lawyer fights their legal case as "she would be more likely willing to understand and listen".
"If the case is a personal status case (divorce, custody or alimony), the clients usually prefer that it is taken up by a woman lawyer. Such cases usually have very sensitive details and parties to it would feel somewhat embarrassed to share what they may consider as their 'family secrets'."
The challenges are always there, she added. "However, we have proved ourselves in the field."
For some clients, the gender of the lawyer matters, while for others it does not.
"How we approach their problem makes all the difference. Once we gain their trust, the ice is broken. The language could well be a barrier. So, if we speak the client's language, it is an advantage," Ahmad pointed out.
"In criminal cases that are, for instance, about sexual assault, rape or consensual illicit sex, a client would feel more inclined to talk to a lawyer of the same gender. In most cases, a client would feel embarrassed and hesitant, at first, to share the full story. When they find how committed we are to help them, they share all the minor details. Confidentiality is essential to preserve the relation."
She also stressed that lawyers need to be transparent. She underlined that at the end whatever are the results, the client would be satisfied because they handled their case in the best way possible.
mary@khaleejtimes.com


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