Baghdad: The Iraqi Bar Association organized a protest on Monday in front of the Companies Registration Department in Baghdad. The demonstration was attended by key figures including the head of the Iraqi Bar Association, Ahlam al-Lami, members of the Bar Council, and a large number of lawyers. Also present were the head of the Iraqi Jurists Union, the head of the Transporters Union, representatives of the Contractors Union, and representatives from several other professional unions and associations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the protest was organized following a decision by the Iraqi Bar Association Council. The council had issued a statement last Wednesday citing deliberate obstructions faced by lawyers at the Companies Registration Department as the reason for the protest. The statement highlighted ongoing problems and obstacles that lawyers encounter at the department, despite previous attempts at official correspondence and understandings with the Ministry of Trade, which have yet to yield any real solutions or reforms.

The statement further explained that these persistent obstacles and deliberate hindrances in processing transactions have led to a number of companies withdrawing their powers of attorney from lawyers. This situation has resulted in a decline in confidence regarding the procedures undertaken by lawyers, ultimately affecting the livelihoods of many within the profession. The Bar Association emphasized that these issues are not due to any negligence on the part of the lawyers, but rather due to the complex procedures and obstacles they face.

In response, the Ministry of Trade issued a clarification on the same day, countering the Bar Association’s claims. The Ministry asserted that the information in the Bar Association’s statement was “completely unrelated to reality.” It reiterated its commitment to removing obstacles for citizens completing transactions at the Companies Registration Department and highlighted ongoing efforts to develop electronic services.