On Monday, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced reforms that move towards a codified Saudi law.
For lawyers around the world, the devil is always in the details. Tightly defined laws are the framework within which legal practitioners operate, in the hope of providing clarity and predictability to citizens, governments and businesses. They also give lawyers and judges a concrete base from which to develop new legal thinking. Even in the oldest systems, the evolution of the law is never finished.
Less common is a total overhaul of a state's judicial system. But under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, that is exactly what is happening.
Law reforms are intended to help diversify the Saudi economy. Getty Images
Across the region, governments are planning for a future without the certainties of old
The specific contents of the reforms will be announced throughout 2021, but Prince Mohammed detailed their intentions: boosting consistency and efficiency, and reducing ambiguity of rulings in the nation's courts. Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world. The entire region will stand to benefit from the economic opportunities the reforms create.
The nation's judiciary has no legal framework accompanying its system of Islamic law, under which judges rely on their own interpretations of how religious-legal texts relate to cases. This leads to lengthy litigations, in which sentencing and outcomes emerge not from precedent and codified laws – as is the case in many legal systems – but only from judicial process.
Prince Mohammed has said that the reforms will institute an accompanying framework for judges, which will be informed by international standards while remaining in line with the principles of Islamic law.
This will let judges settle cases more quickly. It will also reduce the possibility of inconsistencies in rulings that affect companies and residents in the country.
Consistency is key for business. Saudi Arabia fell short of its 2019 $10 billion target for foreign direct investment, instead securing $4.6bn. Even with the difficult economic conditions caused by the pandemic, a more predictable legal landscape will ease the operations of international companies in the country. This will help the nation realise its ambitions.
The move towards codification will also reduce ambiguity about how laws apply to Saudi society. Prince Mohammed stressed that legal inconsistency disproportionately impacts women in the country.
While the scale of Saudi Arabia's changes are remarkable, it is not the only country in the Gulf digging into its legal system to find opportunities for reform. Both the UAE and Oman have recently introduced significant legal reforms to adapt to today's interconnected world, encourage business and advance their societies.
Across the region, governments are planning for a future without the certainties of old. Observers abroad will be missing a trick if they assume this only involves new cities, huge investment strategies and space missions. Underpinning all of this are quieter, but equally significant innovations.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
Make sure you have an online presence
Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
