Saudi Arabia licenses its first women lawyers
In a historic move, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this month granted law licenses to four women.
The move follows a recent announcement by the Ministry of Justice that women attorneys would be allowed to enter courtrooms, argue cases and represent male clients, Lawyers Weekly reports.
A female university graduate was put on track to practice as a trainee earlier this year, and she is to be fully licensed after a three-year apprenticeship.
Despite this progress, obstacles to practice by women remain. Among them: Women cannot travel on their own, and hence must be accompanied by a man to court, and some potential clients are expected to resist the idea of being represented by a woman.
Al-Arabiya and UPI also have stories.
Hat tip: Corporate Counsel.
See also:
ABA Journal: “Muslim women lawyers aim to reconcile traditional beliefs with secular society”
