Counselor Wael Boualai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs revealed the start of the implementation of a large project to scan the files of previous paper cases electronically, to be within the database of the courts administration, indicating that in the first stage more than a million papers were scanned, while the second phase aims to scan more than 5 million Paper under electronic switching is gradually dispensing with paper handling.

Bouallay added in an exclusive interview to "Gulf News" that within the framework of the ministry's efforts to effectively implement the alternative penal code, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments will issue a decision within the next few days to add about 45 work in community service within the alternative penalties with the participation of the private sector. And civil society institutions, with the aim of expanding the fields of application of alternative penalties for convicts and their reintegration into society.

He also explained that work is underway in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council regarding preparing the initial draft regarding the creation of the profession of the private execution agent to carry out some implementation work related to judicial rulings, as the initial idea is based on allowing private companies to do some implementation work in addition to lawyers, and the numbers registered on the schedule The practicing law firm has 1430 lawyers, of whom 832 are all female lawyers, who have all appointed compliance officials, i.e. 100%.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the creation of the profession of mediation in disputes is an important step forward in the development of the justice system, and the strengthening of alternative messages to settle disputes, indicating that work is currently underway in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Public Prosecution to issue a decision on the adoption of mediation in criminal disputes. And to the text of the dialogue ...

- As one of the founders and contemporaries of the establishment of the Public Prosecution Office, and by virtue of your position in the Ministry of Justice ... we want to clarify the work of the Ministry in achieving prompt justice?

The Ministry of Justice has set the development of auxiliary devices for the judiciary, raising the level of efficiency of judicial services and facilitating them in front of lawyers and litigants, and working to enhance the effectiveness of performance and speed of achievement, as its top priority, in joint cooperation with the Supreme Judicial Council to implement development projects, based on the Ministry’s keenness to continue achieving continuous development in a manner that responds For the requirements of the Kingdom of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, in fulfillment of the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the monarch of the country, with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the distinguished Prime Minister, and the support and follow-up of the Coordination Committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
The Ministry of Justice, in light of the directives of His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, is working in joint coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council to crystallize development initiatives based on the main needs and developments, in a way that contributes to providing the best judicial services to the Bahraini citizen and residents, and to continue Increase work efficiency and facilitate procedures for auditors.

- The Minister of Justice announced earlier that it would introduce the profession of "Special Execution Officer" .. Are there any developments in this direction? Will the door be opened to the private sector?

Work is underway in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council to prepare the initial draft regarding the creation of the profession of the private execution agent to carry out some implementation work related to judicial rulings, as the initial idea is based on allowing lawyers as well as private companies to do some implementation work.

This comes within the framework of seeking to strengthen partnership with the private sector to take advantage of its capabilities, work to enhance the effectiveness of implementation procedures, and provide everything that contributes to the development of the justice system. An agreement has already been signed with an auction company to provide all auction services related to enforcement courts, as well as court administration, and the management of minors' funds.

With the electronic transformation projects that the ministry has witnessed and are still ... What about the existing paper cases?

We started a large project to scan the previous paper cases files electronically, to be within the court administration database, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the procedures, and in the first stage more than a million papers were scanned, and in the second phase we look forward to scanning more than 5 million papers as part of the electronic transformation And gradually dispense with paper handling to allow judges to view case files electronically, in a way that supports the topic of joining files, and to be archived and archived electronically, which can be referred to immediately in case there are related cases.

I would like to point out here that the electronic transformation process is on top as a major priority within the development strategy because of what distinguishes it in terms of saving effort, money and time, and one of the motives for the sustainable development process at the global level. Therefore, the Ministry puts the electronic transformation process, in cooperation with the Information and eGovernment Authority, at the forefront of our goals to raise the level of performance efficiency. And the effectiveness of procedures and speed of implementation.

A decision was issued by the Minister of Justice to establish a table of mediators in civil disputes. How far has the implementation process reached? Will it be limited to civil disputes or will it be generalized?

The introduction of the profession of mediation in disputes is an important shift in the development of the justice system, and the strengthening of alternative letters to settle disputes. Indeed, the door to applying for registration in the list of mediators in civil disputes has been opened through the Office of the General Registrar in the Ministry, and the door will be open for those wishing to be registered in the table according to the established conditions There are no specific dates for submitting registration requests.

In this regard, we point out that work is currently underway in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Public Prosecution to issue a decision on the adoption of mediation in criminal disputes.

The concept of criminal mediation is based on converging views between litigants in the hope of resolving cases before referring It has gone to the courts, and there are international models that we consider to benefit from them, and there is also a study to regulate mediation in legal disputes.

What is the difference between arbitrators before commercial courts and mediators?

The two majors are different; The first relates to the establishment of a table for arbitrators before the commercial courts related to the disputes arising between the parties over choosing the arbitrator, and the courts are resorted to in this regard in accordance with the arbitration law, and in accordance with the UNCITRAL Model Rules for International Commercial Arbitration, as the schedule aims to support the work of the judiciary, and support the speedy selection of arbitrators. Concerning this type of dispute, as for mediation, it is every process in which the parties to the conflict ask the mediator to help them reach a settlement between them, and both parties work within the framework of promoting alternative means of settling disputes.

Will cooperation with the private sector in the field of auctions open the door to more cooperation?

The Ministry has a directive towards strengthening the strategic partnership with the private sector to benefit from its potentials, based on the work to devote the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and justice that underpin the economic vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain 2030.

Certainly, the Ministry is looking forward to expanding cooperation with the private sector. The agreement signed between the Ministry and the Mazad Company is one of the partnerships, in which the Mazad Company organizes and manages the reservation and conducts public auctions for assets of real estate and movable assets for sale by public auctions and by electronic means mainly or according to what is included in the assignment decision issued by the competent authority otherwise, and which is issued by signing the seizure. Selling them by public auction by a decision of the execution judge or any judicial or administrative body affiliated with the ministry in a way that contributed to developing electronic auction services in the courts, developing sales procedures, reducing the time period for implementing procedures and speeding up resolution of execution files.

The Ministry of Justice and SICO Bank, which specializes in asset management, brokerage and investment banking services, signed a joint agreement, according to which SICO would provide services in the field of private investment to manage the affairs and funds of minors.

How many lawyers are currently registered? How many female lawyers are there?

The total number of lawyers enrolled in the Lawyers' Roll, actually working, reaches 1430, of whom 480 are under training, and the total number of female lawyers is 832.

- What is the percentage of lawyers who have appointed compliance officials in light of AML / CFT? Is the process of submitting financial reports from law firms in this regard in place? What are the latest developments in issuing the law firm?

All lawyers enrolled in the Advocacy Roll have appointed compliance officials, that is, at a rate of 100%, and the Office of the General Registrar at the Ministry receives continuous financial audit reports. There is mutual cooperation regarding delivery periods, to be completed according to the technical requirements and the time required.

Did the private sector and civil society institutions contribute to rehabilitation programs within the framework of alternative sanctions?

Soon, His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments will issue a decision to add more than 45 work in community service within the alternative penalties with the participation of the private sector and civil society institutions, which will contribute to expanding the fields of application of alternative penalties for those convicted with the aim of their reintegration into society, to achieve the public interest and the desired goals Punishment, and especially deterrence to reduce recidivism.

Have the fees for some services of the Ministry of Justice been abolished according to the Cabinet’s decision to cancel fees for 200 services? What are these services, if any?

Within the framework of the government's efforts to make it easier for citizens by reducing administrative costs and fees in line with the objectives of the fiscal balance program and reaching the point of balance, in this context many fees for various judicial services, such as judicial fees, regulations and advertisements fees for personal status lawsuits, and some service fees Implementation, documentation and schedules of attorneys and experts, which are as follows: fees for lawsuits for legal rulings, fees for lawsuits for personal status related to family rights, fees for advertising in personal status cases related to family rights, fees for personal status cases for non-Muslims, fees for the list and advertisement, and fees for requesting lawsuits to open inheritance Fees for obtaining financial summaries and certificates from execution files, fees for issuing certificates not to implement judgments or official documents, issuing a replacement for experts, issuing a statement of registration in the experts ’roster, issuing a replacement for lawyers’ cards, issuing a statement of registration in the various lawyers ’tables, documenting the real estate donation contract, and documenting Marriage and divorce contracts and requests for copies thereof, ratification of a declaration that the person is unemployed, and a scholarship contract To universities abroad, and to authorize university students