‘Law treats Kuwaiti women fairly, rights given'
KUWAIT CITY, May 18: Attorney Dalal Al-Mullah has affirmed that the law treats Kuwaiti women fairly and grants them their full legal rights in addition to the ongoing official support for their empowerment, particularly in the legal field. In an exclusive interview with the newspaper, Al-Mullah explained that this trend has had a positive impact on the status of female lawyers in Kuwait in terms of empowerment, active participation, and recognition of their professional competence. Following is an excerpt of the interview:
Question: How do you view the position of women in Kuwaiti legislation?
Answer: From my perspective, Kuwaiti legislation has treated women fairly in many aspects, granting them clear legal rights in employment, education, litigation and family life. There is also a noticeable trend within the State toward empowering women and involving them in decision-making positions, as reflected in some legal amendments and practices. However, there are still some areas where legislative development or modernization can be made to keep pace with the evolving role of women in society, particularly in personal status laws and some administrative procedures that may require greater flexibility.
Q: Does the Kuwait Lawyer's Association play a role in supporting female lawyers?
A: Yes, it cannot be denied that the association plays a role in supporting female lawyers in recent years. It has been keen to include female lawyers in specialized committees, allowing them to represent Kuwait in regional and international legal forums and opening the way for them to participate in decision-making within the association. This approach has strengthened the status of female Kuwaiti lawyers and contributed to changing the stereotypical image that prevailed previously. Their presence has become no less efficient and influential than that of their male counterparts.
Q: Tell us about your professional beginnings and why you chose criminal cases in particular.
A: From the beginning of my legal practice, I have had a passion for criminal cases, as I view them as a rich field for legal reasoning, analysis of evidence, and exploration of the hidden facts to uncover the truth. This passion prompted me to embark on criminal cases. I found them to be a real challenge and a field that required high precision and immersion in legal details. Over time, criminal cases became not just a field of work for me, but a space for self-realization and proving my competence.
Q: On what basis do you select the cases you take? Do you reject certain cases?
A: When selecting cases, I ensure there is real scope for advocacy and professional legal work. I do not treat cases as mere files. Rather, I always look for cases where I can add real value to the client, whether by providing a solid defense or reaching fair solutions. At the same time, I ensure that the case does not conflict with my personal and professional convictions, because for me, the legal work is not just a profession; it is also a moral responsibility. There are limits I never cross. Therefore, I completely refuse to plead in certain cases, especially if I feel they do not align with my convictions or if I cannot perform my professional role in to the satisfaction of my conscience. I believe that a lawyer must be convinced of the case they are handling, as belief in the case gives the defense its strength and credibility.
Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons behind the recent change in the crime pattern in Kuwait?
A: Without a doubt, the crime pattern in Kuwait -- as in many societies -- has witnessed a significant development. We are now facing new patterns that were previously unfamiliar. In my opinion, this is due to several intertwined reasons, most notably the lack of religious restraint among some groups, uncontrolled openness to Western cultures, and the negative influence of social media, which has facilitated the spread of some deviant behaviors and created a fertile environment for imitation and deviance. Nonetheless, we must commend the recent steps taken by the State to impose harsher penalties, which has clearly contributed to reducing certain crimes and strengthened the concept of general deterrence, something we see in the cases we handle in the office.
Q: It is said that criminal cases require a male lawyer more than a female lawyer. What is your comment on this?
A: This is a traditional belief that no longer aligns with the reality of the profession today. I have dealt with a large number of male clients, yet they have given me their full trust because they have witnessed my professionalism, credibility and diligence. Female lawyers in criminal cases may face multiple challenges initially, especially in a society where some perceptions are still limited to traditional roles. However, with time, perseverance and commitment, competence alone becomes the deciding factor, not gender. I believe that a female lawyer is capable of proving herself strongly in this field when she possesses the necessary tools and is based on solid legal work.
Q: In addition to criminal cases, your group is known for having specialized departments for commercial and international cases. Do you specialize in a specific legal field or do you prefer a diverse legal practice?
A: In fact, I believe that specialization is required, but within a comprehensive institutional framework. We, at Dalal Al Mulla Law Group, began with criminal cases, but we quickly expanded to cover other areas; such as commercial law, arbitration and international contracts, in addition to a department specializing in cases of a foreign nature, including partnerships, investments and cross-border disputes. A successful law firm in this era cannot remain confined to a narrow scope. Rather, it must offer an integrated system of services, and each department must have a specialized and experienced team. I personally enjoy specializing in criminal cases, but I believe in comprehensiveness as an institutional approach, as it provides clients with a comprehensive legal solution under one umbrella. This is what we are currently working on within the group.
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