More than 15,000 people in Abu Dhabi have benefited from legal aid since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic as a move to online services eased access to justice.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said more people were able to gain financial support for proceedings as a direct consequence of the outbreak.
As with many other sectors across the country, the department bolstered its digital presence in line with safety measures put in place to stem the spread of the virus.
“Anyone can enter their query through the website, and receive their answer,” said Khamees Al Qubaisi, head of the lawyers’ and experts’ department at ADJD.
“Or people could contact the call centre and they will be put in contact with legal guides.
“We managed to assist more people and answer more queries during the pandemic because the service has become more convenient and easy to reach.”
Officials are now considering how best to serve the public once the virus is contained in light of the success of its online platform.
“We will study how to develop our legal aid services to match the needs of beneficiaries; we will ask how they prefer to receive the service through surveys and so on,” Mr Al Qubaisi said.
The legal aid section was established by ADJD in 2011 to provide free legal guidance, and appoints lawyers for those who cannot cover their costs.
Last year, more than 190 lawyers were appointed for such cases.
When the legal aid section receives requests, they contact lawyers registered within the department and ask whether they are willing to volunteer and represent the case.
Currently, there are 1,055 lawyers registered with ADJD.
But in cases with charges that could lead to a life or death sentence, for which a defence attorney must be appointed by law, the department pays lawyers for their service.
Such offences include murder, rape, drug dealing, kidnap and adultery.
The department paid more than Dh1.4 million for 250 such cases this year.
Last year, more than Dh2 million was paid for 442 cases.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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Match info:
Wolves 1
Boly (57')
Manchester City 1
Laporte (69')
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
