Wherever mentioned in this Resolution, the following words and expressions shall bear the meanings assigned thereto respectively, unless the context indicates as follows:
The State: The United Arab Emirates
Ministry: Ministry of Justice.
Minister: Minister of Justice.
Decree-Law: Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 Regulating the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession.
Lawyer: A natural person whose name is registered on the Roll of Practicing or Non-Practicing Lawyers with the Ministry.
Legal Consultant: A natural person whose name is registered on the Roll of Legal Consultants with the Ministry.
Firm: The law firm or legal consultation firm duly licensed in the State, whether as a sole proprietorship, professional company, or branch of a foreign law firm.
Profession: The legal profession or legal consultation profession.
Competent Department: The Ministry's Department in charge of Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs.
Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs Committee: The Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs Committee that is established pursuant to Article (79) of the Decree-Law.

This Code shall aim to:
1. Consolidate the core professional values which Lawyers and Legal Consultants should adhere to.
2. Regulate and define the responsibilities of Lawyers and their assistants, and Legal Consultants in the practice of their profession.
3. Strengthen statutory protection afforded to Lawyers, Legal Consultants, their clients, and other stakeholders.

The provisions of this Code shall apply to Lawyers whose names are registered in the relevant Rolls, as well as Legal Consultants and Researchers listed on the registers designated for each profession with the Ministry.

The persons governed by the provisions of this Code shall abide by the following core professional values while performing their responsibilities and duties:
1. Honesty, integrity, and neutrality;
2. Transparency and ethical conduct;
3. Respect for the rights of others;
4. Preservation of the profession’s reputation and adherence to its customary practices and ethics;
5. Honor and righteousness;
6. Compliance with governance and internal control rules, and the development of work regulations and their framework;
7. Prevention of conflicts of interest and the establishment of effective management frameworks;
8. Performance of the responsibilities in a manner that enhances confidence in the profession and its practitioners; and
9. Professional competence, demonstrated by exerting the necessary effort to perform the responsibilities and missions in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Persons governed by the provisions of this Code shall exercise full independence in respect of performing the duties and responsibilities of the profession. Their performance shall be exercised freely, without external pressure or personal interests.

The integrity of the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, and Legal Researcher shall constitute a mandatory professional obligation.

1. The Lawyer, Legal Consultant, and Legal Researcher shall act with professionalism and respect in all dealings with the others, both in speech and appearance. They shall refrain from any conduct that may undermine the dignity of the profession, violate its ethics and traditions, or diminish its prestige.
2. The Lawyer, Legal Consultant, and Legal Researcher shall introduce themselves in their professional capacity and reflect this capacity in all legal memoranda and correspondence. They shall not use trade names or titles associated with former positions occupied prior to practicing the profession.

1. Confidentiality and non-disclosure shall be core principles of the legal profession and legal consultations, and shall apply to any information obtained from a Client or a third party, where the owner of such information intends for the same to only be shared with the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or Legal Researcher.
2. Any information obtained by the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or Legal Researcher from a Client or a third party shall be subject to strict confidentiality and shall give rise to an obligation that such information be not disclosed except with the express written consent of the owner of the confidential information or as required by applicable laws in the State.
3. The obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information shall not be subject to any time limitations or specific restrictions. Confidentiality shall apply to all information that comes to the knowledge of the Persons governed by the provisions of this Code in the course of performing their professional duties, whether in the context of legal representation or legal consultation. This duty of confidentiality and the obligation to preserve the integrity of such information shall survive and remain in effect even after the termination of the client’s legal representation.
4. The Lawyer, Legal Consultant, and Legal Researcher shall have the right to disclose professional information that falls within the scope of their duty of confidentiality and non-disclosure, strictly in the course of procedures or investigations conducted in relation to the professional engagement with the Client, provided that such disclosure is necessary for said procedures or investigations and is directly linked to the professional obligations of the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or Legal Researcher.
5. The procedures and investigations referred to in this Article shall include disciplinary proceedings and professional and alternative dispute resolution procedures.
6. The Lawyer and Legal Consultant shall be responsible for ensuring that their partners and employees working within its firm adhere to the obligation of confidentiality and non-disclosure. The Lawyer and Legal Consultant shall bear joint liability with them for any damage incurred by third parties due to a breach of this obligation.

The persons governed by the provisions of this Code shall fully comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and decrees governing the practice of the profession within the State. This includes, in particular, compliance with the provisions of the Decree-Law, its Executive Regulations, and all resolutions, as well as the circulars issued by the relevant regulatory units within the Ministry. Compliance with these legal provisions constitutes both a statutory obligation and a fundamental principle of professional conduct, forming the basis of professional responsibility.

1. The Persons governed by the provisions of this Code shall be required to safeguard the material, moral, and ethical interests of the Clients by all lawful means. They shall prioritize the interests of their Clients over their own interests or those of any third party.
2. Any agreement purporting to relieve from or otherwise limit the obligation set forth in Clause (1) of this Article shall be deemed null and void, without prejudice the right of the persons governed by this Code to enter into insurance contracts with insurers to cover potential liabilities arising from errors resulting in the course of the practice of the profession.

1. The persons governed by the provisions of this Code shall be prohibited from representing, advising, or providing legal opinions to two or more parties on the same legal matter if a conflict of interest exists or if there is a real possibility of such a conflict arising in the future.
2. If no conflict of interest exists or was known at the time of accepting the legal representation or providing the legal service but later occurs or becomes known, the Client shall be promptly notified. The parties shall then either terminate the relationship in a manner that safeguards the Client's interests or obtain the informed written consent of the Client to continue the relationship despite the conflict. In such a case, a corresponding written consent shall also be obtained from the other Client whose interests are in conflict.
3. Lawyers, Legal Consultants, and Legal Researchers working within the same firm shall be regarded as a single entity for the purpose of compliance with the obligation to avoid acting in cases where there is a conflict of interest between two or more Clients of the same firm.

1. The Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or firm shall have the right to accept or decline any assignment from a Client at their sole discretion, except in cases where representation is mandatory by a court order.
2. The Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or Legal Researcher shall maintain the principles of fairness, diligence, and loyalty in their professional dealings with all Clients, without discrimination.
3. Upon accepting an assignment, the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or firm shall enter into a written agreement with the Client, which shall, at a minimum, include the following provisions:
   a. The scope of the legal services to be provided, along with any other essential matters.
   b. The name(s) of the Lawyer(s) or Legal Consultant(s) responsible for providing the legal services.
   c. The basis for determining any expenses chargeable to the Client, including third-party costs and disbursements.
   d. The estimated fees for the scope of legal services to be provided by the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or firm, along with the basis for such estimation.
  e. Details of any insurance policy held by the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or firm, covering liability for risks and errors arising from the practice of the legal profession.
   f. The details of the person(s) authorized within the firm to receive complaints in relation to the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, firm, or legal services.
   g. In the event of a dispute over the interpretation or implementation of the written agreement signed between the Lawyer and the Client, the provisions of the agreement shall serve as evidence against both parties unless they contradict the applicable laws.

1. The Lawyer-Client Relationship:
a. The Lawyer shall not initiate any action, measure, representation, or claim on behalf of the Client except based on prior and explicit instructions. In cases where the Lawyer acts on behalf of another Lawyer, they shall request access to the instructions received by the original Lawyer from the Client and ensure that they align with the directives given to the proxy Lawyer.
b. The Lawyer shall perform the instructions received from the Client in an ethical and professional manner, and shall remain obligated to keep the Client informed of the outcomes of implementing such instructions.
c. The Lawyer shall exercise due care and diligence in handling the work and actions entrusted thereto by the Client, ensuring that the Client’s instructions are implemented within appropriate timeframes. It shall also maintain reasonable availability for communication with the Client and respond to the Client’s inquiries and correspondence in a timely manner.
d. The Lawyer shall refrain from any conduct that may mislead the Client on any legal proceedings in which it represents or acts on behalf of the Client. They shall not make promises they know in advance that they cannot be fulfilled. Additionally, they shall avoid submitting applications that would unnecessarily prolong the dispute, or performing any conduct that would unjustifiably prejudice, offend, or disrespect the opposing party or its Lawyer or witnesses beyond what is required for the proper exercise of the right to defense.
e. The Lawyer shall be prohibited from exploiting unlawful means to solicit Clients, including offering inducements, implying any influence, or asserting a real or perceived affiliation with any entity. The Lawyer shall also be prohibited from engaging intermediaries, whether paid or not, or initiating unsolicited contact with litigants, prisoners, or detainees on its own initiative. Furthermore, the Lawyer shall neither share its fees nor assign them in favor of third parties.
f. The Lawyer shall not accept any assignment or instructions from the Client that fall outside the scope of its knowledge, expertise, or prior experience, and it shall duly inform the Client of such limitations. However, it may proceed with the assignment if the Client insists, provided that the Client consents to the Lawyer seeking the assistance of a specialized Lawyer in respect of the instructions or materials subject to the assignment.
g. The Lawyer shall not step down from representation or refuse to continue to perform their duties connected with the representation of its Client if such resignation or withdrawal would result in immediate and imminent harm to the Client’s interests.
h. The Lawyer shall always advise its Client on the most direct and cost-effective means to obtain its rights and encourage the Client to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms before resorting to litigation.
i. The Lawyer shall inform the Client of the availability of legal assistance granted by any court whenever the Client meets the eligibility criteria.
j. The Lawyer shall promptly inform the Client of any funds received or collected on its behalf in its capacity as the Client’s representative. The Lawyer shall be required to safeguard these funds and shall not dispose of them until they are duly delivered to the Client, unless the Lawyer has a lawful right to retain them in accordance with applicable laws.
k. The Lawyer shall comply with the procedural rules and formal requirements, ensuring that statement of claims, appeals, grievances, applications, and petitions are submitted within the legally prescribed time limits.

2. Fees and Charges:
a. The final amount of fees chargeable from the Client shall not materially deviate from the initially agreed estimate, unless there is a change in the scope of legal services. In such a case, the Client shall be notified in writing of the change and the resulting impact on the fee assessment.
b. When determining the fees, the Lawyer or firm shall take into account the following factors:
    1. The Lawyer’s or firm’s professional experience and skills in respect of performance of its duties.
    2. The time and effort required and exerted in respect of providing legal services.
    3. The fees permitted under any applicable legislation, if any.
    4. The nature of the case and the number of litigants involved.
c. In all the aforementioned cases, the Lawyer shall have the right to request the Client to pay the legal fees and expenses, as well as any agreed-upon minimum fee, in advance. The Lawyer may also refuse to proceed with the assignment entrusted thereto by the Client if the latter fails to pay the legal fees, expenses, or the advance fee within five (5) days from the date of receiving a written payment notice. The legal services agreement shall, to the extent possible, include a payment schedule outlining the deadlines for fee payments if the Lawyer and the Client agree to an installment-based payment arrangement.

3. Client's Funds and Records:
a. The Lawyer shall maintain a dedicated record for each Client, whether in paper or electronic form, in which all documents related to the Client and its cases shall be securely registered. The Lawyer shall enable the Client to have access to such record and documents attached thereto at any time.
b. The Lawyer may open a separate account designated for depositing funds collected on behalf of all Clients, which shall be independent of both the Lawyer’s personal accounts and the firm’s accounts. The Lawyer shall promptly transfer to the Client any funds deposited in such an account upon the latter’s request, accompanied by a formal and detailed account statement, provided that the Client is not in default of any fees or expenses due to the Lawyer for legal services rendered in its name or for its benefit.
c. The Lawyer shall not, whether directly, under a pseudonym, or through a proxy granted thereby to a third party, acquire any funds belonging to a Client that are the subject of a legal dispute, judicial liquidation, or an open auction sale.
d. The Lawyer shall procure professional liability insurance to cover errors made in good faith in the course of their professional practice vis-à-vis the Client.

4. The Relationship Between the Lawyer and the Judiciary:
a. The Lawyer shall show utmost respect for, and act in cooperation with, the judiciary, recognizing it as a cornerstone of justice.
b. The Lawyer shall comply with all orders and directives issued by courts, public prosecutions, and judicial bodies with integrity, professionalism, and transparency.
c. The Lawyer shall comply with all procedural deadlines set by the court in the execution of their professional duties and shall not seek extensions except for justifiable reasons, duly communicated to the court in advance.
d. The Lawyer shall refrain from presenting false or misleading information to the court, nor may they make any conduct that may unduly delay proceedings, mislead the court, or divert the court’s attention from the substantive issues of the dispute.
e. The Lawyer shall be prohibited from commenting on cases that are still pending before the judiciary and have yet to be adjudicated, regardless of whether such cases are assigned to it or to other Lawyers. They are also prohibited from providing statements to the media or disseminating information via social media that may disclose the identity of victims or witnesses, or any details that could subject them to defamation or compromise their personal interests, unless the disclosure of such information has been expressly authorized by the competent judicial authorities.
f. The Lawyer shall always maintain a balance between the interests of its Client and its duty to respect and cooperate with the judiciary. This balance requires the Lawyer to notify the court with a high degree of transparency regarding its client’s interests, including any potential impact resulting from judicial measures or requests in the course of the dispute. The Lawyer may seek to amend such measures or requests, provided that any modification is appropriate and consistent with the provisions of the legislation in force within the State.
g. The Lawyer shall comply with all administrative procedures implemented by any court within its jurisdiction, particularly regarding hearing schedules, methods of appearance, and the submission of statements and memoranda.
h. The Lawyer shall accept any assignment or delegation designated by the court to represent a person in need of legal assistance. They may only decline such an assignment if it would conflict with the interests of an existing client or for other justifiable reasons accepted by the court. in such cases, they shall submit a written notice of decline to the issuing court not later than (7) seven days from the date of being informed of the assignment decision, clearly stating the reasons for the decline.
i. Lawyers and firms are encouraged to allocate part of their professional efforts to providing pro bono legal assistance to those in need.
j. The Lawyer shall be required to fully cooperate with all judicial assistants, including experts, interpreters, case management office employees, and administrative staff of all categories. The Lawyer shall ensure the prompt and honest provision of any requested documents.

5. The Lawyer’s Relationship with Colleagues:
The Lawyer shall cooperate with their colleagues in pursuit of justice. This cooperation shall include, but not limited to, the following:
a. Seeking amicable conciliation between the adversary clients whenever possible.
b. Avoiding the imposition of unnecessary expenses on the opposing Lawyer and its Client beyond what is required to serve the interests of the Lawyer’s own Client.
c. Providing accurate and reliable information and documents, free from any defects.
d. Ensuring that both oral and written communication is conducted with respect and integrity.
e. Refraining from direct communication with the Client’s opponents without the knowledge of their Lawyer. The Lawyer may offer legal advice to a colleague upon request, provided it does not conflict with the interests of any of its own Clients. The Lawyer is entitled to fees for such advice unless an agreement between them states it is free of charge.
f. In the course of the Lawyer’s relationship with its colleagues, it shall maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the Client, unless disclosure of information is of definite benefit to the Client or is based on the Client’s explicit consent.
g. The Lawyer shall treat colleagues with politeness and respect and shall refrain from any behavior involving threats, coercion, harassment, or any act that violates public order, public morals, or UAE traditions.
h. The Lawyer shall not make statements about a colleague, present it, or attribute to it anything that may diminish their professional standing or cast doubt on its competence and legal knowledge, whether in the presence of Clients or third parties.
i. A newly practicing Lawyer shall demonstrate due respect and professional courtesy toward more senior colleagues.
j. The Lawyer shall be responsible for training trainee Lawyers within its Law Firm, treating them as colleagues, mentoring them, providing them with guidance, and educating them on the traditions and nuances of the legal profession.

When providing legal consultations, the Legal Consultant and Researcher shall comply with the following rules:
1. Ensure property understanding of the law and avoid manipulating its interpretation or explanation to serve the Client’s interest at the expense of another person’s rights.
2. Provide legal consultations solely based on proper legal interpretation, rather than the Client’s desires, personal inclinations, or considerations unrelated to the rule of law.

1. In the event of a professional dispute between the Persons governed by the provisions of this Code, the disputants shall make every effort to resolve the matter amicably.
2. If the dispute remains unresolved, the “Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs Committee” shall consider the professional dispute. The committee may intervene upon receiving a complaint from either or both disputing parties by way of a joint petition. It shall resolve the dispute in the best possible manner after hearing all parties concerned and allowing them to present their views.

1. The Trainee Lawyer shall have no right to use the title “Lawyer” without being followed by the word "Trainee", nor to introduce themselves in any manner or attach such a title to their name, except upon completion of the training period.
2. During the training period, the Trainee Lawyer may not accept assignment for legal representation in cases in their own name or for their own benefit, nor institute legal proceedings or plead in them.
3. The Trainee Lawyer shall actively seek knowledge, learn from the experience of senior Lawyers, and fully adhere to the provisions, conditions, and duties of the training during the training period. They shall also comply with any regulations governing the induction training required to practice the profession.

When dealing with any form of media or social media of whatsoever type, the Lawyer, Legal Consultant, and Legal Researcher shall abide by the following rules:
1. Complying with all relevant rules, regulations, and resolutions.
2. Maintaining the privacy of Clients and third parties, as well as the confidentiality of their information and data.
3. Avoiding any form of misleading statements, forgery, or deception, and upholding the dignity and honor of the profession.
4. Preserving the integrity of the judiciary and its members and refraining from any actions or statements that may cast doubt in any way whatsoever.
5. Refraining from publishing details of investigations or trial proceedings without the express permission of the judicial authority.
6. Avoiding detailed responses to specific legal questions related to cases that are currently under judicial consideration or may be brought before the judiciary.
7. Refraining from appearing in the media to provide legal consultation or from publicly sharing legal interpretations on various social media platforms in a manner that may lead to misinterpretation of legislative texts or cause confusion regarding their provisions and application mechanism.
8. Adhering to the media content standards established under the legislation in force within the State.
9. Having proper dress and attire that aligns with professional customs and respects the general professional appearance.

When a Lawyer, Legal Consultant, or Legal Researcher promotes himself/herself, whether directly or indirectly, the following measures shall be taken into account:
1. The promotional materials shall not be misleading, false, or deceptive, including any misrepresentation of the Lawyer’s academic qualifications or professional experience.
2. The promotional materials shall not violate the rules, principles, or ethical standards of the legal profession.
3. The promotional materials shall not compromise the privacy of Clients or third parties, nor disclose any confidential information or data.
4. The promotional materials shall not undermine the legal profession or judicial authorities in a manner that would weaken public confidence in them.
5. The promotional materials shall be consistent with all instructions and controls established by the Competent Department.