DOHA: A law is on the anvil that will make it mandatory for family and other courts hearing family and related issues such as marital discord, divorce, child custody and support and inheritance, among others, to conduct their proceedings in camera.
This is to ensure that the privacy of families is protected. Defendants will, however, be explained court procedures and given time to prepare their defence. The courts will be free to announce verdicts in open sessions. The Cabinet yesterday took measures to ensure that the draft law is forwarded to higher-ups for approval so it could be put in force.
The draft was earlier sent by the Cabinet to the Advisory Council whose recommendations were incorporated into it, QNA reports.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired the Cabinet’s regular meeting at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The court can request an employee of a family counselling centre working for reconciliation between litigants to submit a report. It can also use these centres to help reach settlement through reconciliation.
The Peninsula
