FEMALE ENTRANTS IN SAUDI COURTS

Saudi Arabia’s Justice Minister Mohammed Al-Eissa said his department is drafting a law that would allow female lawyers to argue legal cases in courts for the first time. He told reporters that the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s “plan to develop the justice system.” The law would mark a major step for female lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases before courts. Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody, divorce and other family-related issues. The proposed new law to be issued by the Ministry of Justice would also allow Saudi women to complete certain procedures with notaries without presenting any witnesses.