The recent announcement by Justice Minister Mohammad Al-Issa in Riyadh that a law is being drafted to allow women lawyers to argue legal cases in court in the Kingdom has been widely welcomed by legal experts and social activists. Dr. Bakr Bin Hamza Khoshaim, member of the Shoura Council, told Saudi Gazette by phone from Riyadh that it is definitely a step forward in the Kingdom's march to progress and in according increasingly more rights to women. “It will benefit wherever applicable, and is certainly good for women,” he added. Mais Khaled Abo Dalbouh, legal adviser and a lawyer with 16 years of experience, said: “It is great progress.” According to her, in the lawyers' nizam regulating lawyers' work, there is no article preventing women lawyers from practicing law. “This is progress, and a step forward,” Dalbouh said, adding that female clients feel more comfortable with female lawyers. “It gives women greater confidence. They feel that having a female lawyer will protect their rights. Not knowing her rights and lacking professional experience, a woman may lose her case. With this development such a situation will not arise. It is the knowledge, expertise and confidence inspired by the lawyer that is important,” she said. Dalbouh said that the first ever batch of women lawyers graduated from King Abdulaziz University last year. Several colleges such as Dar Al-Hekma in Jeddah and Prince Sultan College in Riyadh allow female high school graduates to study law. Dr. Hussein Nasser Al-Sharif, member of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) and manager of the Jeddah branch, said that the Society conducted a study some years ago which confirmed that there is no reason in Shariah or in society as such, to prevent women from appearing in court. Al-Sharif said that the legal profession is good for women as they can fight for their rights, and is also helpful for Saudi women who have cases in court to have access to a female lawyer. He said that it is also good economically, as it will create more job opportunities for women. Women will be encouraged to take up the profession. “We are happy at the news. It is a good step for the rights of women, and I wish them good luck in the future,” he said. One lawyer, who has provided legal services to a foreign mission in Jeddah for a long time, said on condition of anonymity that the door is officially being opened for women's participation in society. “It is a progressive step in keeping with the development and growth of women's rights in the Kingdom,” he added. Samar Fatany, a social activist, said the decision was a major step toward “reforming our court system and giving more credibility to our judiciary”. Minister Al-Issa said that the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of King Abdullah's “plan to develop the justice system”. The law would mark a major step for women lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases in court. Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody, divorce and other family-related issues. The proposed new law to be issued by the Ministry of Justice would also allow Saudi women to complete certain procedures with notaries without presenting any witnesses. The ministry is also making efforts to register more lawyers and grant them licenses to practice law in the Kingdom. Under recent reforms, foreigner may practice law in the Kingdom if they have a degree from a Shariah college, a valid visa and a minimum of three years experience in the legal profession.
