Parliament yesterday ushered in one of the most comprehensive overhauls of the legal profession in decades, as MPs unanimously approved a new draft law aimed at enhancing professional standards and strengthening confidence in the kingdom’s justice system.
The government-drafted legislation comprises 68 articles.
A key feature of the law is the introduction of mandatory professional indemnity insurance for lawyers, similar to requirements in engineering professions, designed to protect clients from professional errors.
Law firms will also be required to maintain dedicated professional bank accounts, fully separated from personal accounts, in line with anti-money laundering standards and future regulations co-ordinated with the Central Bank of Bahrain.
One of the most significant reforms tackles a long-standing structural issue: lawyers renewing registration for years without active practice to accumulate seniority. Under Article 15, practising lawyers may be required to prove actual legal work over the previous two years, including pleadings and submissions. Failure to do so could result in transfer to the non-practising register unless valid justification is provided.
The law further stipulates that lawyers seeking to return to practice after five years or more must retake the bar admission exam, unless they have served in judicial, prosecutorial, academic or senior legal advisory roles during that period.
Trainee lawyers will also face a more structured pathway, including a mandatory two-year apprenticeship, formal training courses and a qualifying examination before admission to the practising register. The framework expands access to training placements, with references to initiatives in co-operation with Tamkeen.
Foreign legal expertise is also addressed under Articles 24 and 25, allowing non-Bahraini lawyers limited practice in specialised commercial cases, provided they work jointly with licensed Bahraini counsel. Their participation will be restricted, excluding criminal, administrative and Sharia matters, and subject to reciprocity agreements.
The law also introduces contingency fees capped at 25 per cent of awarded amounts, prohibiting mixed fee structures, a move intended to improve access to justice while preventing exploitation.
Speaking on the reforms, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda said the draft was essential to keeping pace with global legal developments.
“This legislation is necessary in line with advancements in the legal profession and international best practices, ensuring Bahrain’s system remains modern, transparent and competitive,” he said.
Legislative and legal affairs committee chairman MP Mahmood Fardan described the bill as transformative.
“This marks one of the most significant overhauls of the legal profession in decades, designed not only to protect clients and courts, but to elevate Bahrain’s legal services in line with a modern investment-driven economy,” he said.
The legislation now moves to the Shura Council for further consideration. Members of the Bahrain Bar Society in attendance were seen clapping following its approval.
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