Sharjah issues law regulating court expertise practice

The Ruler of Sharjah has issued a new law regulating the practice of court expertise before judicial authorities in the emirate. The law aims to ensure proper administration of justice, support judicial authorities with qualified experts, develop the profession, establish professional and ethical standards, and empower national talent.

Under the law, the Judicial Department shall establish registers for expert registration, including a Register of Practising Experts, Non-Practising Experts, Experts in Government Entities, Trainee Experts, and Practising Expert Houses. Registration will be based on technical specialisations determined by the Head of the Judicial Department, following recommendations from the Judicial Inspection Department, with specialisations based on academic qualifications and practical experience.

No expert or expert house may practise as a court expert before judicial authorities in Sharjah unless registered in the relevant register. Exemptions apply when parties agree to appoint an unregistered expert with court approval, or when the judicial authority assigns work to government entities or unregistered experts under specified procedures.

The law covers requirements for registration of experts and expert houses, including international firms, licensing, experts' rights and obligations, disciplinary sanctions, and the establishment of an Experts Affairs Committee and Experts Accountability Council.