On 11 June 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, issued Law No 4 of 2013 on notary publics appointed in Dubai courts.
The law regulates the profession of the public and private notary publics in the emirate of Dubai, and sets out terms of reference, requirements, conditions and years of experience for persons wishing to take up the position.
The law stipulates that a special notary public department be set up at Dubai Courts Department which may open branches across the Emirate of Dubai if necessary.
The law also stipulates that a registry for the private notary public be established at the Department.
He added that the law would have a far-reaching impact on different business sectors in Dubai, as it provides clients with friendly solutions to process transactions like contract attestation easily and quickly.
Notary publics have to be UAE citizens, and notary publics of different Arab nationalities can only be appointed when necessary by the head of Dubai Courts, and must have at least 10 years of experience.
Under the law, notary publics will have to take the oath before the court head before joining his work and hence they will not be allowed to perform the job before swearing in.
Head of Dubai Courts will issue bylaws to implement the provisions of this law, which must be published along with the notary public law in the official gazette. The law will take effect from the date of issuance and shall be published in the official gazette. Dr Ahmad Saeed Bin Hazim, Director General of Dubai Courts, said the law was issued to keep pace with the rapid developments Dubai was witnessing and to streamline and facilitate businesses.
He renewed the importance of partnership between Dubai
Courts and the private sector represented in legal consultancy firms and advocate offices.