Lawyers protest
By TARIQ KHONJI and MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 28 December 2006
MORE than 200 lawyers joined a three-hour demonstration at the Justice Ministry in the Diplomatic Area, calling for better organised courts, a lawyers’ union and the scrapping of laws allowing foreign firms to operate in the country.
Lawyer Hassan Ali Radhi of Hassan Radhi and Associates said very few foreign firms currently exist in Bahrain on a significant scale and they are generally not interested in competing with local firms.
He, however, said some of the lawyers within the firms have done so illegally and have even issued bad advice.
Lawyers protest
By TARIQ KHONJI and MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 28 December 2006
MORE than 200 lawyers joined a three-hour demonstration at the Justice Ministry in the Diplomatic Area, calling for better organised courts, a lawyers’ union and the scrapping of laws allowing foreign firms to operate in the country.
Lawyer Hassan Ali Radhi of Hassan Radhi and Associates said very few foreign firms currently exist in Bahrain on a significant scale and they are generally not interested in competing with local firms.
He, however, said some of the lawyers within the firms have done so illegally and have even issued bad advice.
“I work closely with some of these firms and I know that they are not interested in competing with us, but mainly advise clients on international law,” he said.
“However, some lawyers within these firms have done so and clients have suffered because of it.
“All the documentation is in Arabic and a lot can be lost in translation.”
“There are many cases of these foreign lawyers giving clients bad advice because of their failure to understand technicalities.”
Mr Radhi said the main reason behind the rally was that the lawyers consider it unconstitutional and that it could open the door for other firms in the future.
Lawyer Hala Qarooni of Abdul Ghani Qarooni and Associates said the issuing of the decree allowing foreign firms to operate was passed between parliament terms when no sessions were being held.
“His Majesty King Hamad does have the right to pass urgent laws during this period, but we don’t consider this to be urgent,” she said.
Ms Qarooni added the legal industry was overcrowded and can’t take much more competition.
Lawyer Shahzallan Khamis said the demonstration was also about tardiness and disorganisation of the judicial process. “Sometimes it can take months for court papers to move from one room in the ministry to another.”
Ms Khamis said the courts have to go electronic to meet the demands of the modern world.
Ms Qarooni echoed her sentiments. “Court delays cause delays in people’s lives,” she said.
Lawyer Ali Al Ayoubi said the society has been making these demands for some time.
“The government has turned a deaf ear towards our demands,” he said.
“This law was issued two days before the elections on November 23 this year. What was the need to issue this law in the absence of parliament session?
“The government should consult the Bahrain Bar Association to safeguard the rights of the two sides.”
Lawyer Huda Al Mehza said the new law was a clear violation of the rights of Bahraini lawyers.
“We appeal to the King to fulfil our demands, including the establishment of a lawyers trade union, to look after our interests.
“We also want a lawyers social insurance system.”
Lawyer Fatima Al Hawaj said the government was supposed to discuss the issue with Bahraini lawyers related to their field,” she said.
“There is so much competition from these foreign legal offices and there is a need to form the trade union.”.
© Gulf Daily News
