Government

The General Secretariat of the Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) in the Emirate of Dubai has celebrated its 12th anniversary, marking more than a decade of advancing legislative excellence, supporting government development, and enhancing societal wellbeing through modern and effective legislation.

Held under the theme "12 Years of Empowering Society and Enhancing Happiness Through Legislation," the commemorative event brought together senior officials, executives, and employees to reflect on the organisation's achievements and future vision.

The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Secretary General of the SLC, and Mohammed Juma Al Suwaidi, Assistant Secretary General, alongside members of the General Secretariat.

SLC Recognised as a Key Driver of Legislative Modernisation

In his address, Dr. Bin Meshar described the establishment of the SLC as a landmark moment in Dubai's legislative and institutional development.

He noted that the committee has played a transformative role in reviewing, assessing, and developing legislation that aligns with Dubai's ambitious growth plans and evolving governance priorities.

According to Dr. Bin Meshar, the committee reflects the forward-looking vision of the UAE's leadership to enhance legislative efficiency and ensure that laws continue to support economic growth, innovation, and social development.

Legacy Rooted in Dubai's Legal Evolution

The Secretary General highlighted the historical foundations of the committee, tracing its origins to the era of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, when the Office of the Legal Advisor to the Government of Dubai was first established.

Over time, the legal framework evolved through the creation of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department before entering a new phase of legislative modernisation in 2014.

This transformation was formalised through a decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, establishing the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai.

Legislative Activity Sees Significant Growth

The anniversary event highlighted several key milestones achieved by the SLC over the past 12 years.

Among the most notable accomplishments was the recognition received from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the committee's contribution to negotiating Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs).

The committee also reported substantial growth in legislative output and oversight activities.

Key achievements include:

1. The number of local legislative instruments increased from 49 in 2015 to 373 in 2025, representing growth of approximately 661 per cent
2. Legislative audit reports expanded from zero to 61 reports annually
3. Audits now cover 52 government entities
4. Government entity satisfaction with SLC services averaged 95 per cent over the past five years

These figures reflect the committee's growing role in strengthening governance and legislative compliance across Dubai's public sector.

Recognition for Excellence and Organisational Resilience

The General Secretariat has also received recognition for its institutional performance and governance capabilities.

Among its achievements:

1. Attaining the "Excellence" level in the Dubai Government Excellence Programme
2. Securing the second level in the Organizational Resilience Competency Model (ICOR) during its first participation

The accomplishments underscore the committee's commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and organisational resilience.

Strategic Initiatives Advance Legislative Knowledge and Innovation

Over the years, the SLC has introduced several initiatives designed to strengthen legislative awareness, professional development, and legal innovation.

These initiatives include:

1. Legislative Week
2. Legislative training programmes
3. Educational content through its YouTube platform
4. The Legislative Conference held in 2023 and 2024

The committee has also enhanced the Dubai Legislative Platform, integrating it into the second phase of the Dubai 10X Initiative as part of efforts to establish a fully paperless legislative ecosystem.

In another significant development, the Legislative Compliance Rate developed by the SLC has been adopted as an official excellence criterion within the Dubai Government Excellence Programme since 2022.

New Programmes Support Legislative Expertise

The General Secretariat has continued to invest in specialised legal education and legislative capacity building.

Recent initiatives include:

1. Launching the Legislative Drafting Diploma Programme in partnership with the Dubai Judicial Institute
2. Introducing the Legislative Impact Policy, approved by the Executive Council
3. Issuing Technical Guidelines for Drafting Legal and Explanatory Memoranda

These programmes aim to strengthen legislative quality and enhance the professional skills of legal and government practitioners across Dubai.

Artificial Intelligence to Shape the Future of Legislation

Looking ahead, the SLC is increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to modernise legislative processes.

The committee has conceptualised a new Legislative Innovation Centre and transitioned its Legislative Intelligence Platform into the operational phase.

The platform incorporates artificial intelligence technologies to support legislative drafting, analysis, and decision-making processes, reflecting Dubai's broader vision of becoming a global leader in digital government and innovation.

Supporting Dubai's Future Development

As it enters its second decade, the Supreme Legislation Committee continues to play a central role in ensuring that Dubai's legislative framework remains agile, innovative, and aligned with international best practices.

By combining legal excellence, digital transformation, and forward-looking policymaking, the committee is helping to create a legislative environment that supports economic competitiveness, government efficiency, and long-term societal wellbeing.

The anniversary celebration served not only as a reflection on past achievements but also as a reaffirmation of the SLC's commitment to supporting Dubai's future development through modern, effective, and innovation-driven legislation.

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