FNC adopts federal law on use of remote communication technology

The Federal National Council, FNC, adopted a federal law on the use of remote communication technology for criminal procedures during today’s seventh session of its second ordinary session of the 16th legislative term in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting was presided over by Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC.

During today’s session, an article titled "Scope of implementation" was introduced as part of the discussion. It stated that "the concerned authority has the right to use remote communication technology in criminal procedures involving the accused, the victim, the witnesses, the lawyers, the experts, the translators, civil plaintiffs and others responsible for civil rights."

The FNC highlighted the importance of the draft law, as it complies with new developments in the field of criminal procedure and comparative international legislation for the use of advanced information technology. This will enable the basic principles of law and any subsequent legal actions to be combined by harnessing modern communication tools and technologies that comply with the best practices in the field of international criminal proceedings.

They further stressed that the standards of attendance, publicity and confidentiality during investigations must meet those that were set under Federal Law No 12 (1995) and Federal Decree No 12 (2009), when remote communication occurs, as per the provisions of the law.

With regards to the "right of the accused to appeal," the draft law states that the accused has the right to demand the use of remote communication technology during the first hearing for any type of litigation where they must be present before the court. The court can then agree or refuse the request.

According to the FNC, saving and recording procedures electronically while maintaining confidentiality is of great importance. Confidential information should not be published or copied without permission from the public prosecution or the relevant court.

Regarding its use on juveniles and children, the draft law states that the concerned authority should use remote communication technology without violating the provisions of Federal Law No 3 (2016), they added.