H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has issued a Resolution calling for the setup of public prosecution department for community service related measures.

Sheikh Mansour Al Nahyan's resolution comes in response to the requirements of Federal Law No. 07 of 2016, which amended some provisions of the UAE Penal Code and introduced community service punishments or fines for some misdemeanours, instead of imprisonment.

Yousuf Saeed Al Abri, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, ADJD, said "Sheikh Mansour’s resolution is in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to bring about an integrated corporate judicial system that meets the growing judicial and justice needs of the nation according to the best international practices and standards."

Al Abri noted that the ADJD is going to create courts and specialized prosecution centers to cover various fields. "Establishing prosecution centers that specialize in community service measures will enhance the experience of prosecutors and provide a database that would help decision-makers and experts map out development plans that will assist in achieving the objectives of the measures," the Under-Secretary added.

The Attorney-General of Abu Dhabi, Ali Mohammed Abdullah Al Balushi, said the setting up of the prosecution centers will help build up the role of the Public Prosecution in representing the community and preserving its interests through entrenching the rule of law.

The newly set up prosecution department will operate directly under the auspices of the Attorney General and will specialize in following up on the implementation of community service orders which will be issued by the Abu Dhabi misdemeanor courts as per Article 120 of Penal Code No. 07 of 2016.