Local lawyers confident women will be allowed in court, opening up access to untapped female clients

Saudi lawyers have hailed news that women are set to be permitted to argue cases in court, in an overhaul of the country's justice system which could be in place as early as next month.

The ruling, expected to be confirmed at the beginning of November, will enable qualified female lawyers to apply for a licence to present cases in court, according to reports quoting a justice ministry directive. 

Female lawyers with a law degree and at least three years' experience working in a lawyer's office would be able to apply. 

The existing regulations permit women to practise law as representatives and give legal advice on behalf of clients up to the point where a case reaches the courtroom.

The ministry has not yet released an official statement on the matter; however, lawyers in the local market believe that the changes are likely to be put in place and have the potential access to an untapped female client base.

Baker Botts Middle East head Robert Jordan, who is based in Riyadh, said: "I think the regulation is likely to happen, but we'll have to wait and hope that the rules are well crafted. We've recently built out space for female lawyers to practise in our regional office, so we're delighted to see they're moving forward in allowing women to move into courts. 

"A tremendous amount of wealth nowadays is held by Saudi women – it's a market that is growing, so we are paying attention to their needs including that they are well served by female lawyers.

"The main driver that sets women apart from men as practitioners at the moment is that, in order to be a fully qualified practitioner, they must have court experience. This way they can become lawyers, as opposed to legal advisers in the background – it will get them out of the library and into the conference room, and the chance to finally advance in their profession. This would form a career path that would attract more talent to the legal profession as well – and clients want the best and brightest."

Under the leadership of King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia has pushed through a number of initiatives to help boost the role of women in the traditionally male-dominated society, including giving women the right to vote from 2015 and the construction of Princess Noura University, the first women's university in the country.

Riyadh-based Hogan Lovells finance partner Imran Mufti added: "It would be a positive step. There is a significant amount of wealth held by Saudi women through inheritance or commercial entrepreneurship. 

"So from that perspective interaction between legal advisers and Saudi business women will be encouraged as they would likely confide more in female lawyers, when they would previously rely on husbands or brothers to carry cases forward. This increased interaction would give greater access to a client base that will open up a lot more.

"In most cases, private practices and law firms will need to catch up with these rules if they are put in place, as segregation in the workplace remains a legal requirement. But I expect we'd see more female law students looking to develop professional skills in law offices across the region, as well as female clients looking for legal advisers."