Al-Suwaidan: Investing in the Qualification of Gulf Lawyers Through Training Programs and Knowledge Exchange

The President of the Kuwait Bar Association, Dr. Khaled Al-Suwaidan, affirmed today, Tuesday, the importance of participating in the Gulf Lawyers Forum and the Sixth World Arbitration Conference in the Qatari capital, Doha, to enhance cooperation in the legal profession.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Suwaidan said he participated at the head of a delegation from the Association in the Gulf Lawyers Forum, organized by the Qatar Bar Association and held under the patronage and presence of Qatari Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim Al-Muhannadi. The event marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Qatar Bar Association and was attended by presidents and representatives of bar associations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Al-Suwaidan expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Qatar for honoring him by the Qatari Minister of Justice, in recognition of his participation in this professional Gulf occasion that brought together legal leaders to discuss ways to develop the legal profession and enhance cooperation and integration among Gulf professional institutions.

He noted that he participated as a speaker in the first dialogue session, titled “Lawyering in Gulf Countries: Between Reality and Future: Towards a Shared Professional Vision,” alongside presidents of Gulf bar associations. He added that the session addressed the most significant transformations in the legal profession in Gulf countries, as well as legislative, economic, and technological developments and challenges related to the future of legal practice. It also highlighted the importance of enhancing professional cooperation and exchanging expertise among Gulf associations.

During the session, Al-Suwaidan emphasized the importance of transitioning the role of bar associations from traditional professional frameworks to active partnership in developing legislation and the justice system. He pointed out that lawyers play a fundamental role in the practical application of the law, qualifying them to contribute to identifying procedural and legislative challenges and offering proposals that enhance litigation efficiency and protect the rights of litigants.

He clarified that he presented the Kuwait Bar Association’s experience in developing the profession through successive stages of the “Lawyer’s Vision” project and related initiatives, including the digitalization of litigation procedures, development of judicial services, professional qualification, and support for modern legal specialties.

He also touched upon the importance of keeping pace with digital transformation and rapid developments in artificial intelligence technologies, stressing that AI is a supportive tool for lawyers, not a replacement. He emphasized that leveraging technology must be coupled with preserving the profession’s independence, client confidentiality, and the professional and ethical responsibilities of lawyers.

Al-Suwaidan stressed the necessity of investing in the qualification of Gulf lawyers by developing training and specialized programs, exchanging expertise among institutes and professional centers, and enhancing cooperation in arbitration, mediation, and economic and commercial disputes. This, he noted, would contribute to raising lawyers’ efficiency and strengthening their competitiveness regionally and internationally.

He called for enhancing integration among bar associations in GCC countries and leveraging the role of the Gulf Lawyers Union in adopting joint professional initiatives and projects, moving from exchanging experiences and recommendations to implementing practical programs with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.

Al-Suwaidan noted that the Kuwait Bar Association delegation also participated in the proceedings of the Sixth World Conference on International Arbitration, organized by the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration, affiliated with the Qatar Chamber, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The conference, held under the patronage of Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, was titled “Alternative Dispute Resolution in a Changing World: From Judicial Oversight to Artificial Intelligence.”

He noted that this participation comes within the framework of the Kuwait Lawyers Association’s commitment to strengthening its presence at international legal conferences and forums, keeping pace with the latest developments in the fields of arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution, and leveraging international experiences and expertise to enhance legal practice.