The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has released its first five-year strategic plan aimed at developing a modern and efficient judicial system.

The ’Strategic Plan 2008 – 2013,’ reflects the vision of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that justice is the ultimate goal of governance, the source of safety and the essence of development, said a top official.

’The department’s mission is to safeguard the rule of law by ensuring justice, freedom and peace in society. Its vision is to be an efficient and independent judicial system based on excellence that provides world-class judicial services,’ said Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department undersecretary. 

It is based on the department’s values of maintaining judicial independence, fairness and integrity, customer service, commitment to excellence and teamwork, Al Badi observed.

’The strategic plan reinforces these values through the plan’s goals including: access to justice; fair and accomplished judicial system that provides effective and innovative judicial services; public trust and confidence; highly qualified workforce and motivating work environment; and transparency and accountability,’ he added.

Each goal includes clear objectives to support the goal. For example, the goal to increase access to justice includes objectives such as providing legal assistance to those in need, supporting alternative means to settle lawsuits, offering electronic services for greater convenience, strengthening judicial services and facilities across the emirate, and extending working hours to meet the public need.

’The strategic plan underscores the department’s commitment to excellence, which is the criteria and principle upon which all services rely,’ he noted.

The Strategic Plan was developed through a series of leadership workshops, court conferences, focus groups and international best practice study tours, he explained.

The implementation of the strategic plan, through the development of unit-level operational action plans, is currently being facilitated through a strategic management working group comprising senior judiciary officials.

“While the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is currently involved in many transformation initiatives, the plan is a critical component in ensuring a structured approach for managing these development efforts,” Al Badi observed.
 
Yousef Saeed Al Ibri, attorney general in Abu Dhabi said the plan has been developed after extensive studies and workshops, and after reviewing international best practices.

’This plan will further enhance the Abu Dhabi’s judicial system to contribute to security, safety and justice.’
 
The plan will be updated every five years in adherence with the socioeconomic development of Abu Dhabi, he added.-TradeArabia News Service