SCC approves draft law on court fees

The session began with the approval of the minutes from the fifteenth session, after which the council initiated discussions on the draft law and the accompanying report submitted by the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Suggestions and Complaints Committee. The report was prepared following extensive studies and specialised meetings.

Legal officials attend council session

In attendance were Sheikh Faisal bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Mualla, Secretary-General of the Judicial Council in Sharjah; His Excellency Dr Issa Saif bin Handal, Director of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah; Aisha Mohammed Hazeem Al Suwaidi, Director of Legislation at the Legal Department; and Houria Mohammed Al Khayal, Director of Government Legal Services at the same department.

Referral and procedural review

During the session, the council discussed the draft law and the report from the committee. The council’s work began with the formal approval of the previous session’s minutes. His Excellency Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), stated at the outset that the draft law had been referred to the council on 15 May by the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Sharjah. In accordance with Article 71 of the council’s internal regulations, the draft was referred to the relevant legal committee for study and feedback.

Al Jarwan noted that, as per the procedures followed in legislative discussions, the council would review the draft law article by article, take comments into consideration, and approve each article either with amendments or as received from the Executive Council, using a comparative table for reference.

Praise for council’s role

In his address to the council, Dr Issa Saif bin Handal commended the efforts of the Consultative Council, praising the vitality of the discussions and the depth of the feedback provided. He stressed that the law represents a vital pillar in building an integrated judicial system in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Law complements existing judicial legislation

Dr Issa Saif bin Handal explained that the draft law complements the Judicial Authority Law, which came into effect on 1 June. It sets the general framework for establishing an independent judicial authority to accompany the executive and legislative branches that have existed since 1999. This aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to uphold judicial independence and the rule of law.

Regulating court fees and procedures

He added that the draft law regulates the structure of court fees collected by the courts, detailing procedures for imposing, collecting, and exempting such fees. It seeks to balance procedural, judicial and financial aspects, ensuring the delivery of high-quality judicial services that consider social and economic circumstances.

Committee presents legal and financial review

His Excellency Mohammed Saleh Al Ali, member of the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Suggestions and Complaints Committee, presented the committee's report on the draft law. The report included a comprehensive review of the legal articles and the committee’s recommendations, along with an analysis of the legal and financial dimensions and the law’s alignment with relevant legislation and regulations.

The report confirmed that the draft law would enhance transparency, regulate financial transactions in the courts, and structure the relationship between litigants and the judiciary.

Detailed member discussions and recommendations

His Excellency Mohammed Ali Jaber Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Suggestions and Complaints Committee, provided explanations regarding the committee's comments on several amendments intended to strengthen the law’s provisions.

The session featured an in-depth discussion by council members, who shared precise observations and constructive suggestions covering various legal and procedural aspects of the draft law. Interventions focused on the need for clear mechanisms for fee collection, linking fees to the nature and type of cases, and developing collection tools that ensure efficiency and accuracy while reducing the financial burden on litigants.

Approval of draft law and next session

The council reviewed the various articles of the draft law, which aim to regulate judicial fees across all types of claims, documentation fees, electronic payment procedures, and general provisions related to partial or full exemptions and refunds.The draft law was approved at the end of the session.

At the close of the meeting, Al Jarwan announced that the next session will be held on Thursday, 19 June 2025. It will mark the closing session of the second ordinary term of the eleventh legislative chapter, during which the council will discuss its recommendations regarding the Sharjah International Airport Authority and the dissolution decree for the current session.