Saudi Arabia: Considers opening up legal profession to women

Justice Minister Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Sheikh told Arab News that he had been given the green light to look into "opening independent female legal offices or divisions for female lawyers" at what are presently all-male legal firms. Al-Sheikh said this would enable Saudi women to explain their cases to specialist female legal advisers. However, the minister cautioned that female lawyers would not be allowed to attend court, where only male judges are appointed. Women would instead be asked to write out their arguments, which would be presented on their behalf by men in the court itself.