By: Ahmed Adly, Founder of Al Adly & Co.
Key Takeaways
- On 1 October 2026, the Sharjah Judicial Council approved a Governance Guide for the Management and Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Judicial System, establishing a unified framework for the controlled and secure use of AI within judicial and administrative work.
- The AI Governance Guide addresses AI use cases, risk management, data protection, cybersecurity, human oversight, monitoring, and auditing, with the objective of ensuring that AI is deployed responsibly while preserving legal safeguards and rights.
- The Judicial Council also approved the establishment of a specialised Public Prosecution and Court for Municipal and Environmental Affairs, aimed at strengthening specialised justice and improving the efficiency of proceedings relating to municipal and environmental matters.
- On 29 September 2026, the Sharjah Executive Council established and formed a Committee to Combat Residential Violations across the Emirate, bringing together representatives from several government authorities to strengthen monitoring, inspection and regulatory coordination.
- The residential violations committee will monitor properties and housing units and seek to ensure compliance by landlords and tenants with applicable residential requirements and regulations, with the stated objective of preventing violations and the resulting penalties and legal measures.
Background: Continued Development of Sharjah's Judicial and Regulatory Framework
Sharjah has continued to develop its judicial and administrative framework with a focus on improving efficiency, strengthening specialised justice, and adopting technology within judicial services.
The latest developments reflect three interconnected areas of institutional development: the responsible governance of artificial intelligence, the specialisation of judicial mechanisms, and greater coordination between government authorities in enforcing residential requirements.
Against this background, the recent decisions of the Sharjah Judicial Council and Sharjah Executive Council introduce measures that are relevant not only to judicial institutions, but also to individuals, landlords, tenants, businesses and other parties interacting with the Emirate's regulatory framework.
THE AI GOVERNANCE GUIDE: ESTABLISHING A CONTROLLED FRAMEWORK FOR JUDICIAL AI
A Unified Institutional Framework
The Sharjah Judicial Council has approved the Governance Guide for the Management and Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Judicial System.
The Guide establishes a unified institutional framework for the controlled and secure deployment of AI technologies within the judicial system. According to the Judicial Council, the framework is intended to keep pace with technological developments while supporting the continued development of judicial and administrative work.
The importance of the Guide lies not simply in the adoption of AI, but in the establishment of controls governing how AI is used within a judicial environment.
The framework covers AI use cases and incorporates measures relating to risk management, data protection, cybersecurity and human oversight. It also regulates the lifecycle of AI systems through monitoring and auditing mechanisms and establishes specific controls and standards for their use in judicial contexts.
Human Oversight and Legal Safeguards
The emphasis on human oversight is particularly relevant to the use of AI in judicial settings.
AI systems may support administrative and judicial processes, but the Governance Guide expressly incorporates human oversight and safeguards intended to protect rights and legal guarantees. The framework therefore approaches AI deployment as a governed institutional process rather than an unrestricted technological tool.
The Guide also seeks to promote the reliable and secure use of AI while improving the quality and efficiency of judicial and administrative services.
What This Means in Practice
For the judicial system, the introduction of a formal governance framework provides a structured basis for evaluating and managing AI technologies throughout their lifecycle.
The inclusion of risk management, cybersecurity, data protection, monitoring and auditing indicates that AI adoption is being approached alongside corresponding governance and compliance considerations.
This is particularly relevant as the Sharjah Judicial Department continues to introduce AI-enabled services. On the same day as the Judicial Council meeting, the Department showcased AI initiatives including a virtual trainer for employees and a pilot AI-powered virtual assistant for marriage, notary and attestation services.
SPECIALISED PUBLIC PROSECUTION AND COURT FOR MUNICIPAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Moving Towards Specialised Justice
The Judicial Council has also approved the establishment of a specialised Public Prosecution and Court for Municipal and Environmental Affairs.
The new specialised judicial structure is intended to develop the specialised justice system and improve the efficiency of handling cases relating to municipal and environmental affairs. The Judicial Council stated that the initiative is expected to contribute to expediting procedures and improving the quality of judicial work.
The establishment of a dedicated judicial structure reflects the increasing importance of specialised mechanisms for matters involving specific regulatory and technical subject areas.
Practical Significance for Municipal and Environmental Matters
Municipal and environmental matters can involve regulatory requirements, technical considerations and interactions with multiple government authorities.
A specialised Public Prosecution and Court structure provides an institutional mechanism specifically focused on these areas. The stated objective is to improve procedural efficiency and the quality of judicial work while supporting the continued development of Sharjah's specialised justice framework.
The development should therefore be viewed as part of the broader evolution of Sharjah's judicial system towards greater specialisation, efficiency and technological readiness.
COMMITTEE TO COMBAT RESIDENTIAL VIOLATIONS: STRENGTHENING REGULATORY COORDINATION
Establishment and Composition of the Committee
On 29 September 2026, the Sharjah Executive Council issued a decision establishing and forming the Committee to Combat Residential Violations in the Emirate of Sharjah.
The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs and includes representatives from:
- Sharjah Municipality;
- Public Prosecution in the Emirate of Sharjah;
- Sharjah Police;
- Sharjah Civil Defence Authority;
- Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA); and
- Sharjah Economic Development Department.
The composition of the committee brings together authorities with different regulatory and enforcement responsibilities relevant to residential properties and housing.
Mandate of the Committee
The committee's stated objective is to combat random housing and residential violations across Sharjah's cities.
Its responsibilities include unifying monitoring and inspection procedures, strengthening integration between government entities, monitoring the status of properties and housing units, and ensuring that landlords and tenants comply with applicable requirements and regulations.
The decision also addresses legal provisions concerning the committee's responsibilities, membership term, periodic reports, regulatory decisions, and its entry into force and publication.
Implications for Landlords and Tenants
The establishment of the committee reinforces the importance of compliance with applicable residential requirements for both landlords and tenants.
The stated purpose is to identify and address practices or violations that may undermine residential requirements and to prevent the application of the penalties and legal measures prescribed for violations.
For property owners, landlords and tenants operating in Sharjah, this development highlights the importance of maintaining compliance with applicable housing and property requirements and being prepared for coordinated monitoring and inspection by the relevant authorities.
AL ADLY & CO. PERSPECTIVE
The latest developments demonstrate a broader direction in Sharjah's judicial and regulatory framework towards structured technological governance, specialised justice and coordinated enforcement.
The AI Governance Guide is particularly significant because it establishes formal controls around the use of AI within the judicial system, including risk management, data protection, cybersecurity, human oversight, monitoring and auditing. As AI-enabled judicial services continue to develop, these governance mechanisms provide an important framework for responsible implementation.
The establishment of a specialised Public Prosecution and Court for Municipal and Environmental Affairs similarly reflects the continued development of specialised judicial mechanisms designed to improve the handling of sector-specific matters.
At the regulatory level, the Residential Violations Committee strengthens coordination among the authorities responsible for monitoring residential properties and enforcing applicable requirements. Its multi-authority composition is particularly relevant to matters that may involve municipal, police, civil defence, utilities, economic and prosecution functions.
Taken together, these developments indicate that Sharjah's judicial and regulatory framework is continuing to evolve around three key priorities: efficiency, specialisation and responsible governance.
For individuals and businesses operating in the Emirate, the developments reinforce the importance of remaining attentive to regulatory requirements, particularly where activities involve residential properties, municipal or environmental matters, or the use of technology within regulated processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Guide establishes a framework for the management and use of AI technologies within Sharjah's judicial system. It addresses AI use cases, risk management, data protection, cybersecurity, human oversight, monitoring and auditing.
No. Human oversight is expressly included within the Governance Guide as part of the controls governing the use of AI technologies in the judicial system.
The Sharjah Judicial Council approved the establishment of a specialised Public Prosecution and Court for Municipal and Environmental Affairs. The stated objective is to improve specialised justice and enhance the efficiency of handling related cases.
The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs and includes representatives from Sharjah Municipality, Public Prosecution, Sharjah Police, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, SEWA and the Sharjah Economic Development Department.
The committee is intended to combat random housing and residential violations, unify monitoring and inspection procedures, strengthen coordination between government entities, monitor properties and housing units, and ensure compliance by landlords and tenants with applicable requirements and regulations.
Landlords and tenants should ensure that their residential arrangements comply with the applicable requirements and regulations in Sharjah and remain attentive to any regulatory or inspection requirements applicable to their properties or housing units.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared by Al Adly & Co. for general informational and client advisory purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Information is based on the UAE Cabinet resolution announced by WAM on 18 June 2026. The regulatory position may be supplemented by implementing regulations, ministerial guidance, or platform-specific directives. For advice specific to your platform, business, or circumstances, please contact our team directly. © 2026 Al Adly & Co. Law Firm. All rights reserved. | www.aladly.co
Ahmed Adly
Founder & Managing Partner
Ahmed Adly is the founder and managing partner of Al Adly & Co, advising international businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the UAE and Egypt. With more than 20 years of legal experience and a background in senior government legal roles, he helps clients navigate regulatory complexity, structure transactions, and resolve high-value disputes.