A new law in Saudi could pave the way for women to appear in court.

Female lawyers in Saudi Arabia could soon be allowed to argue cases in court if a landmark draft law is passed.

Mohammed Al-Eissa, the Kingdom’s justice minister, told a Saudi newspaper that the law would ensure restrictions preventing female legal experts from appearing in court were lifted as part of plans to “develop the justice system”.

If passed female lawyers could argue child custody, divorce and family-related cases in person. It would also allow women to carry out certain procedures without the presence of a witness.

“In accordance with the new law, women will be able to complete their preliminary procedures with notaries by just presenting their IDs,” said Osama Al-Mirdas, assistant deputy minister of justice for documents,  according to Saudi reports.

The procedures include registering property and merging real estate of different people or ownership classifications.

Al Mirdas added the new law would, if passed, remove barriers obstructing women from approaching notaries.

Suspending property ownership and prevention of power of attorneys would be monitored through the ministry’s computer system.