Females allowed to practice law at court in Saudi Arabia

Four Saudi women have become the first females in Saudi Arabia to practice law at courts after getting the permission from Justice Ministry, according to Arab News Monday. Saudi women, who graduated from law school, were previously allowed to work as legal consultants, but banned from practicing law in the courtroom and could not get attorney status. "The ministry's decision to grant Saudi female lawyers licenses to open their own law firms will help female lawyers work without facing obstacles, especially since many women prefer to deal with female lawyers," said Feriyal Al-Kinj, a female Saudi lawyer, adding the ministry should establish special halls for women in courts. About 2,500 Saudi women are now working as legal consultants in the Kingdom, he said.