Umm Al Hassam:The Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) held an awareness seminar at its headquarters to discuss the new law regulating the legal profession, as part of the National Awareness Programme.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the seminar explored significant changes in the law and their impact on the legal profession, the rule of law, and the protection of litigants' rights. Key speakers included Ali Abdulla Al Aradi, a member of the Shura Council, and Salah Ahmed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Bahrain Bar Society.
Al Aradi highlighted the differences between the new and previous legislation, emphasizing the law's support for the independence of the legal profession and its expansion of lawyers' roles to include contract drafting and representing clients in non-judicial matters. He also discussed new organizational structures for lawyers' registers and the push for greater professional specialization.
He pointed out the importance of the committee overseeing lawyers' registration and the enhanced role of the Bahrain Bar Society in selecting committee members. Al Aradi emphasized the need for clear registration and renewal procedures, which protect lawyers' status and provide a framework for career advancement.
Salah Ahmed Al Midfa underlined the new law's recognition of advocacy as an independent profession essential to justice administration and the rule of law. He noted the updated entry requirements for the profession, such as an admission exam and practical training, to improve lawyer competence and service quality.
Al Midfa also addressed legal practice provisions, including measures to facilitate lawyers' work with authorities and a professional code of conduct developed with the Bahrain Bar Society. He stressed the importance of lawyers fulfilling their responsibilities with competence, honesty, and integrity to build trust with clients.
The seminar concluded with an open discussion, allowing participants to ask questions and exchange views on the law, enhancing their understanding of legislative changes affecting the legal profession.
The National Awareness Programme, conducted by BIPD, aims to promote constitutional and legal awareness and encourage responsible citizenship and the rule of law through various educational activities.