By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 27 April 2007
A CLASS-action lawsuit filed over government officials also working privately as lawyers has been adjourned by the High Civil Administrative Court.
The Bahrain Bar Association (BBA) and 70 lawyers have filed two lawsuits against three high-ranking government officials.
One is against Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Supreme Council for Women secretary-general Lulwa Al Awadhi.
Another is against Shaikh Khalid and UN General Assembly president Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa.
The suits alleges that Ms Al Awadhi and Shaikha Haya, who are lawyers by profession, have continued to practice law in violation of legislation that prevents them from doing so while in government positions.
By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 27 April 2007
A CLASS-action lawsuit filed over government officials also working privately as lawyers has been adjourned by the High Civil Administrative Court.
The Bahrain Bar Association (BBA) and 70 lawyers have filed two lawsuits against three high-ranking government officials.
One is against Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Supreme Council for Women secretary-general Lulwa Al Awadhi.
Another is against Shaikh Khalid and UN General Assembly president Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa.
The suits alleges that Ms Al Awadhi and Shaikha Haya, who are lawyers by profession, have continued to practice law in violation of legislation that prevents them from doing so while in government positions.
They also accuse Shaikh Khalid of turning a blind eye to the practice and demand that the two women’s names be removed from the ministry’s list of active lawyers.
The court adjourned the hearing until June 25, to give time for the officials’ lawyers to prepare their reply.
The BBA was represented by its president Jameela Ali Salman and Ali Jabal represented the 70 lawyers.
Shaikh Khalid is represented by a government legal affairs lawyer, while two other lawyers are representing Shaikha Haya and Ms Al Awadhi.
Mr Al Jabal said Shaikha Haya practised law during her posting as Bahrain’s Ambassador to France.
He also said Ms Al Awadhi’s position at the Supreme Council for Women was in the rank of minister, making it illegal for her to work as a lawyer.
Ms Salman alleges that the three have violated Advocacy Law N0 26,1980. “The lawsuits are not of a personal nature against the defendants, because the BBA has great respect for them, but are from the professional perspective,” she said.
© Gulf Daily News
