A smart application that offers free online legal services to both lawyers and the general public, including filing litigation cases at any time, linking people to good lawyers in their vicinity and enabling defendants without money to get free lawyers, has been launched in the UAE.

The UAE Ministry of Justice said it has introduced the ‘Smart Lawyer’ application to provide free online legal services and advice to members of the public around the clock.

The app, which can be downloaded on computers and smartphones, is aimed at saving time and efforts of the lawyers as they can submit cases for litigation and other applications electronically and follow them up through the system without visiting courts. It is also an effective communication platform between the lawyer and the judicial officials at the ministry.

The smart system provides a number of other judicial services to lawyers and can allow clients to file complaints to the authorities against any lawyer.

Through the ‘Online Adviser’ service, the app provides a communication platform between lawyers and the general public where lawyers registered with the service can answer people’s legal queries instantly.

People across the country can use the new smart system to choose a lawyer of their choice, based on the information provided in the app about them, including their location, expertise and experience and can contact them through the system for legal advice or assistance.

The system also allows the public to register and obtain personal legal documents provided by courts.

The system’s ‘Legal in Your Own’ service can help defendants without lawyers or those wanting legal help but don’t have money to pay for the services, to request for free assistance. The defendant will have to provide all details about their case which is given to the appropriate lawyer who has agreed to represent them in court. The name of the lawyer will then be provided to the defendant.

The smart system is also linked to the Ministry of Finance electronic payment system and lawyers can pay all the judicial fees and other payments through the system using the e-Dirham card, or any type of credit cards.