Law No. 32 of 2008 sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department as follows:
  1. Consider and revise, in terms of form and content, all draft regulatory legislation proposed by the Government and by Government Entities, provide opinions and advice regarding them, and prepare and approve draft legislation;
  2. Submit proposals and recommendations with regard to the amendments and updates that must be made from time to time to the legislation in force in the Emirate;
  3. Form technical committees consisting of members of legal staff and specialists serving at Government Entities or at any other entities to consider legislation and other issues relating to the legal affairs of the Emirate; 
  4. Represent the Emirate in committees formed to consider and draft federal legislation;
  5. Issue bylaws and explanatory memoranda for local legislation in force in the Emirate;
  6. Issue and publish reasoned legal opinions with respect to interpretation of provisions contained in the legislation in force in the Emirate;
  7. Provide legal opinions and advice with respect to enquiries submitted to the Department by the Government or by Government Entities in relation to any legal issue or statutory provision;
  8. Prepare and review contracts and agreements entered into by the Government or by Government Entities based on the request of such entities, and represent them in the negotiations relating to the same;
  9. Review all memoranda of association of corporations and companies established by the Government, or by Government Entities or to which they are a party;
  10. Represent the Emirate in committees formed to consider and negotiate any conventions, agreements or memoranda of understanding with external bodies, and give opinions on the same before joining, signing or ratification;
  11. Receive complaints and claims against Government Entities, and seek amicable settlement or provide legal opinions in relation thereto, in accordance with the relevant legal procedures in place;
  12. Represent the Government and all Government Entities before the competent judicial authorities and conciliation or arbitration committees and centres. The Department may, at its own discretion, appoint any person to represent it in such proceedings;
  13. Issue regulations related to monitoring the compliance of all Government Entities with the legislation in force in the Emirate, prepare periodical reports of the same, and submit copies of such reports to the Ruler and to the Chairman of the Executive Council;
  14. Coordinate the organisation of training programmes and courses with Government Entities to ensure the sound legal understanding of the legislation in force in the Emirate to guarantee the proper application of such legislation;
  15. License the advocacy and legal consultancy profession, and advocacy and legal consultancy firms, monitor their practice, and issue the relevant regulations, bylaws and resolutions;
  16. Issue the periodic publication of the Official Gazette of the Government and supervise its website;
  17. Translate the legislation in force in the Emirate into foreign languages;
  18. Prepare and publish legal research, studies and legislation in specialised publications;
  19. Maintain the original copies of the legislation issued by the Ruler;
  20. Compile, maintain and archive the legislation issued by the Government or by Government Entities; 
  21. Compile, maintain and archive all documents and records relating to treaties, memoranda, contracts and agreements concluded between the Government or Government Entities and official external bodies;
  22. Supervise the training and qualification of legal advisors by organising training courses, programmes and workshops in all legal disciplines to train and qualify local candidates for recruitment at Government Entities;
  23. Undertake any other duties related to the nature of work of the Department that are performed as part of providing legal support to the Government or to Government Entities.