UAE Attorney-General Emphasises People-Centred Justice and International Cooperation Against Fraud
Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi outlines the UAE's commitment to accessible justice systems and cross-border enforcement at the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney-General of the UAE, has articulated the nation’s forward-thinking approach to justice and criminal enforcement at the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. His remarks across two high-level thematic sessions underscored the centrality of human dignity and international partnership in contemporary justice systems.
During discussions on advancing access to justice, Al Shamsi emphasised that the true measure of any justice system’s success rests with the people it serves. He articulated a vision extending beyond the mere recognition of legal rights, stressing instead the imperative to ensure that citizens comprehend and can exercise those rights through transparent, equitable and accessible procedures.
The UAE’s digital transformation of justice services exemplifies this philosophy, the Attorney-General explained. Through technological innovation, the nation has simplified procedures, reduced administrative complexity and expanded access whilst safeguarding essential legal protections. Notably, Al Shamsi acknowledged both the potential and limitations of artificial intelligence in this context, observing that whilst technology can enhance analysis and expedite information access, it cannot substitute for legal judgment or displace human responsibility in decision-making.
Al Shamsi further highlighted the necessity of tailoring justice services to accommodate diverse circumstances—encompassing linguistic requirements, age-related needs, disability accommodations and victim-specific considerations—to guarantee genuinely equitable access.
In addressing organised fraud, the Attorney-General articulated the UAE’s multifaceted strategy centred on strengthened national coordination and enhanced transnational judicial cooperation. He emphasised the critical importance of robust reporting mechanisms, rapid information-sharing among competent authorities and the deployment of advanced technologies to detect fraud patterns and accelerate institutional response.
Internationally, Al Shamsi advocated for direct and secure communication channels between corresponding authorities, expanded utilisation of existing international networks, and effective mutual legal assistance frameworks. Joint investigation mechanisms and efficient fund-tracing procedures assume particular significance in organised fraud cases, where the speed of information transmission frequently determines whether victims recover their assets or suffer permanent loss.
The Attorney-General stressed that such cooperation must operate within established national legislative frameworks and relevant international agreements, with careful attention to legal safeguards and protection of confidential information.
This participation reflects the UAE’s comprehensive approach to criminal justice—synthesising accessible, equitable justice systems with robust institutional and international cooperation to address increasingly sophisticated transnational crime.
Source: WAM