Abu Dhabi: Lawyer’s license canceled for assaulting employee during his work

The Lawyers Disciplinary Council of the Judicial Department – Abu Dhabi decided to cancel a lawyer’s license and remove his name from the Roster of Lawyers, for committing acts that impinge on the ethics, traditions and duties of the legal profession towards society. In addition to the complaints punished by the Lawyers Disciplinary Council, final criminal rulings were issued against the lawyer for assaulting, insulting and threatening an employee during his duty. Such behavior violates the good reputation condition stipulated by the legal profession.

In the reasoning of its decision, the Lawyers Disciplinary Council stated that having considered the subject matter complaint referred by the Lawyers Affairs Committee, the respondent’s reply and the relevant documents, it is evident that the violations included in the complaint are based on convicting the lawyer under penal rulings and disciplinary decisions. This constitutes a flagrant violation of lawyer’s code of conduct and professional ethics, and a direct prejudice to its reputation, especially that for practicing the legal profession, a lawyer must be of a good reputation, as this is a starting and ongoing condition for registration in the Roster of Lawyers.

The Lawyers Disciplinary Council stated that Articles No. (4 & 5) of Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022, concerning “Regulation of Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Profession” affirm that the legal profession is a free profession that participates with the judiciary to achieve the mission of justice and affirm the rule of law. Accordingly, lawyers must abide by the rules stipulated by the law. In general, a lawyer’s professional and personal behavior must follow all the ethics, morals and traditions of the profession; such as independence, integrity and good reputation.

The Council’s decision also indicated that the law regulating the legal profession stipulates that: “A registered practicing lawyer must be of full capacity and good reputation, and has neither been convicted by the court nor has been disciplinarily punished for a felony/misdemeanor involving breach of honor or trust, even if his criminal record is expunged”. Based on this and since the violations committed by this lawyer are affirmed by criminal rulings, so the Lawyers Disciplinary Council decided to cancel his license and remove his name from the Roster of Lawyers.