Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee unveils new initiative

The Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC), in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, has developed the ‘Soft - Open Flexible Legislation’, a new initiative that aims to create flexible legislation that is adaptable to future needs.

The initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, along with several other ‘Dubai 10X’ initiatives, during the sixth edition of the World Government Summit held in February 2018 with the mission of placing Dubai ten years ahead of other cities in the world. 

The Supreme Legislation Committee is the first interactive legislative platform in the world to enable the trade, business and finance sector to participate in the formulation of commercial, economic, and financial legislation.

The initiative is one of 26 projects submitted by 24 government entities in Dubai, which were approved by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. A committee of specialists and experts reviewed more than 160 ideas submitted by 36 parties for implementation in less than 365 days.

His Excellency Ahmed Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee said that the initiative aims to create a system for soft, open and flexible legislation that caters to the commercial sector. With the emergence of disruptive technologies and the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there was a need for new legislative practices and projects that can accommodate these developments and create a flexible environment for the incubation of future projects.

"We are working on the project in cooperation with a number of strategic partners, including the Department of Economic Development, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Courts and the Dubai Smart Government. The project will be implemented within a challenging timeframe of two years in five stages that include preparation, design, training, testing release and activation.”

"The Dubai 10X initiative seeks to forecast future trends and apply them today to reinforce the UAE's and Dubai’s profile as a hub for new innovation,” Al Muhairi said. "We are committed to strengthen the concerted efforts of local government bodies to modernise legislation that supports the process of reshaping and defining government practices according to the requirements of the current stage. This reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai “

His Excellency also affirmed the SLC’s strong commitment to implementing projects that support the development of the legislative process and the legal system in Dubai, and enable the implementation of optimal legislation and the principle of the rule of law. He emphasised the role of the SLC as a key contributor to building the future by creating an integrated legislative and legal system that supports comprehensive and sustainable development plans.