His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has enacted Law No. (24) of 2024. It introduces important amendments to the operational and disciplinary framework of the Financial Audit Authority (FAA).
These changes aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity within Dubai’s public sector. The amendments revise certain articles of Law No. (4) of 2018. It will help in strengthening the FAA’s powers to investigate violations and implement disciplinary actions.
The revised Article (34) significantly broadens the Director-General’s powers in handling cases of employee misconduct. With the new provisions, the Director-General is authorized to suspend employees, seize documents, and terminate investigations that lack evidence.
The updated law also allows for temporary travel bans and asset freezes for a period of up to three months. Additionally, settlement mechanisms have been introduced to resolve the cases.
In Article (35), the FAA’s Director-General is granted the authority to assess and ensure that disciplinary penalties are equal to the severity of the violations. If a penalty seems inadequate, the Director-General can suggest more stringent actions.
Entities are required to respond to these recommendations within seven days. Failure to comply may result in further action by the newly formed Central Violations Committee.
The Central Violations Committee functions as an independent body. It monitors compliance with penalties, particularly for senior officials. It consists of three members appointed by the Director-General. They are responsible for reviewing cases.
