Legal Officer – Field Inspection Affairs

Job description

Nationality: UAE Only

Job field: Legal

Introduction

The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department (the “Department”) is seeking to recruit ambitious professionals to work within the Licensing Affairs Section of the Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs Department, contributing to the implementation of the Section’s duties and responsibilities related to field monitoring and inspections, verifying compliance with the legislation, regulations, and decisions governing the practice of legal professions, and monitoring and following up on relevant violations, in accordance with the applicable systems and approved procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled or urgent field visits to licensed law firms and legal consultancy offices, as well as locations or entities suspected of conducting the activity without a license, to verify compliance with the applicable legislation, regulations, decisions, and instructions.
• Examine and review relevant documents, records, and data during field visits, and verify their validity and compliance with the approved legal and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor, identify, and document professional or conduct-related violations and practices that are inconsistent with the applicable legislation and approved controls, collect and document relevant evidence and documents, and take the prescribed initial actions in relation thereto.
• Prepare visit, inspection, and violation reports and reports related to the results of field visits, and document facts, observations, and evidence in accordance with the approved templates and procedures.
• Examine and legally classify violations identified in the field, prepare legal memoranda in relation thereto, and provide legal opinions and recommendations on the appropriate procedures and measures to be taken.
• Prepare and issue official notifications to violators, and follow up on the procedures resulting from violations in coordination with the relevant regulatory units and competent authorities, including procedures for collecting fines, where applicable, and document the procedures and results in the approved records and systems.
• Follow up on violations and cases identified in the field until the completion of the relevant legal and administrative procedures, and coordinate with the relevant regulatory units and competent authorities in this regard.
• Prepare and extract data and statistics related to unlicensed offices, violations, cases of non-compliance, and field visit results, and prepare the necessary periodic reports to support monitoring and follow-up activities and the taking of appropriate actions.
• Update the data of law firms and legal consultancy offices relevant to field monitoring and inspection activities, including data of licensed and unlicensed offices, and update the relevant tables, databases, and electronic systems in accordance with the approved procedures and instructions.
• Prepare legal memoranda related to matters and requests referred by the Department Manager, Section Manager, or Assistant Section Manager, by studying the matter, collecting and analyzing relevant data and information, identifying the facts, key issues, and legal grounds, and providing appropriate opinions and recommendations thereon.
• Conduct legal research and studies related to violations, professional practices, and cases of non-compliance identified during field monitoring and inspection activities, and utilize the findings to support legal opinions and recommendations.
• Prepare benchmarking and comparative studies related to field monitoring and inspection activities of licensed and unlicensed offices, study local, regional, and international best practices, identify opportunities for improvement and development, and propose recommendations that contribute to developing the relevant procedures and regulatory frameworks.
• Contribute to studying and proposing the preparation, amendment, and updating of regulations and legislation relevant to the Section’s responsibilities, including regulations governing the registration of legal consultants and licensing of legal consultancy offices, and provide the necessary comments and proposals thereon.
• Propose the necessary updates and improvements to the Legal Professions System (LPS) in relation to services for reporting, monitoring, and following up on unlicensed offices and individuals, in coordination with the relevant regulatory units, contributing to simplifying procedures and enhancing the efficiency and quality of services.
• Monitor strategic and operational performance indicators related to field monitoring and inspection activities, collect and analyze data, prepare the necessary reports thereon, and propose opportunities for improvement and development.
• Receive inquiries from customers related to the position’s responsibilities and respond through approved communication channels, meet with customers when required, and provide them with the necessary information and guidance in accordance with the applicable legislation and approved procedures.
• Participate in relevant committees and working groups, and provide legal and technical support to the team in accordance with the requirements and responsibilities of the Section.
• Take the initiative to provide improvement and development proposals related to field monitoring and inspection activities, and follow up on the implementation of applicable proposals in accordance with the procedures approved by the Department.
• Perform any other duties related to the nature of the position and the responsibilities of the Section as assigned by the direct supervisor, Department Manager, or Director General.

Key Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

• Comply with the information security policies approved by the Department.
• Comply with all circulars issued by the Department regarding attendance and working hours, ensuring that assigned tasks are completed within the required time, quality, and efficiency standards.

Academic Qualifications and Years of Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or equivalent, with more than one year and up to four years of practical experience; or
• Master’s degree in Law or equivalent, with less than one year and up to three years of practical experience.

Required Skills (Technical and Behavioral Competencies)

• Knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and decisions governing legal professions and field monitoring and inspection procedures.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and legally classify violations, collect and document evidence, and prepare inspection reports and legal memoranda.
• Knowledge of using the Legal Professions System and relevant technological systems.
• Ability to collect and analyze data and prepare relevant reports, statistics, and studies.
• Ability to analyze problems and propose solutions and opportunities for improvement and development.
• Effective communication and customer service skills, with professional conduct during field visits.
• Ability to plan, organize, manage time, and work as part of a team.
• Initiative, creativity, and innovation.