Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has ordered a complete separation of the Dubai Public Prosecution Department and the Dubai Courts Department. The objective of the separation is to enhance the performance of both departments and ensure the further transparency, integrity and credibility of the judicial system.
The crown prince also ordered the appointments of:
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum as the chairman of the Dubai Courts Department;
- Isam Eisa Al Humaidan as the attorney general of Dubai;
- Abdul Latif Mohammed Al Jasmi as director of the Dubai courts;
- Yousef Saleh as deputy director of the Dubai courts;
- Yousef Hassan Al Mutawa as senior advocate general of Dubai; and
- Khalifa Rashid Deemas as advocate general at the Office of the Attorney General of Dubai.
The directive is expected to be promulgated in the Official Gazette shortly.
Contrary to how it may have appeared, the Public Prosecution and Courts Departments have always been separate entities. However, there was an overlap in their administration, as both were under the supervision of the Justice Department.
This move is a step in the right direction, and follows a previous directive from the crown prince calling for the improvement of the judicial system, particularly in criminal trials where there is a need to observe humanitarian considerations. For example, the practice of presenting the accused in court in handcuffs and in a cage has now been abolished.
However, it remains to be seen to what extent the directive will improve the autonomy of each department.
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