February 2013

As part of its work in the United Arab Emirates, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) conducted an October 2012 training on legal ethics for more than 20 government lawyers from the Emirate of Dubai. ABA ROLI Legal Specialist Keith Thomas led the training attended by lawyers from several government departments. Topics included international legal ethics standards, differences in the civil and common law traditions, fundamentals of legal ethics, client confidentiality and conflicts of interest, enforcement, and other topics.

ABA ROLI is also in discussions with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department about the possibility of drafting a code of ethics for all Dubai lawyers, including the drafting process and what topics might be covered under the code. Other elements, such as enforcement and disciplinary measures for non-compliance were also discussed.

To learn more about the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s work in the United Arab Emirates, contact us at rol@americanbar.org.