Dubai has been at the forefront of the highest standards of splendour, modernity, and growth, which reflects our most significant goals at the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (SLC). We have been making conscious efforts to align our endeavours, objectives, and pursuit of excellence with the directives of our wise leadership.
The establishment of the SLC marked the beginning of a new chapter in the emirate's legislative system which is based on legislative empowerment. The SLC was founded on the principles of efficiency and dedication, with the aim of developing a legislative system that meets current and future requirements, and establishing integrated regulatory frameworks that support the UAE's ambitious strategic development plans in general, and those of Dubai in particular.
Since its establishment by Decree No. (23) of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the SLC has persisted in promoting sustainability, agility, integration, and efficiency in the legislation-making process in Dubai. It relies on its mandate to develop legislation that meets the emirate's current and future needs, and to ensure the optimal implementation of legislation by issuing explanatory notes and legal opinions, and supporting government entities in properly implementing legislation through the legislative audit process. The SLC has spared no effort to foster a legal and legislative culture and promote the proper understanding, interpretation, and implementation of applicable legislation.
Over the past nine (9) years, the SLC has processed a considerable number of pieces of legislation that have contributed to the regulation of numerous socio-economic areas, and supported the development, progress, and expansion witnessed by the emirate over the years. This includes legislation regulating the real estate, health, environment, energy, and services sectors; legislation regulating judicial work and human resources; legislation establishing government entities; legislation regulating government work; legislation establishing free zones and integrated economic zones; as well as legislation regulating private enterprises, digital services, virtual assets, unmanned aircraft, autonomous vehicles, and the privatisation of certain government entities.
In addition, the SLC has prepared a number of explanatory notes that explain the intent and proper interpretation of the provisions of the legislation in force. It has also issued a number of legal opinions that explain the actions and decisions to be made by government entities in the matters for which the legal opinions are sought. The SLC has issued legislative audit reports for more than fifty (50) government entities that are subject to legislative audit, which has helped ensure their proper implementation of the legislation in force.
In addition to its efforts in developing local legislation in Dubai, the SLC has supported the federal government’s efforts in launching a monumental project aimed at aligning federal legislation with the current life and work requirements, as well as with the latest technological developments. This project aims to enhance the UAE's enabling economic environment and investment and business structures, to promote security and stability in society, and to protect the rights of individuals and institutions, through an integrated set of legislation and legislative amendments that keep pace with the UAE's progress and strategic goals. The SLC has reviewed, and participated in the drafting of, some of the most important legislation, including legislation on industrial property, copyrights, trademarks, commercial companies, electronic transactions and trust services, penal code and procedures, combating rumours and cybercrime, labour relations, and personal data protection.
On the SLC’s ninth anniversary, as the SLC is nearing its first decade, all SLC employees, including legal advisors, legal officers, and administrative staff reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the continued development of a more flexible, sustainable, and up-to-date legislative system that keeps pace with the ambitious vision and future aspirations of our great nation and our beloved emirate, and that helps to solidify Dubai’s position as a role model in legislative development and as an incubator to nurture innovation and creativity.