The Parliament has passed a bill proposed by the government to establish the Attorney General's Office as a service separate from the civil service.
The Attorney General’s Office Bill was submitted to the Parliament on behalf of the government by Member of Parliament Abdulla Rifau on 2 December last year. After reviewing the bill, the Judiciary Committee presented its report on the matter at Wednesday’s Parliament sitting. However, when the bill was put to the vote, the majority of the members voted to send it back to the committee for further review.
Following amendments brought by the committee, bill was passed at Thursday’s sitting, with all 64 members participating in the vote voting in favour. The bill now defines employees of the Attorney General's Office as those appointed to the posts of Deputy Attorney General, Secretary General, Legal Service and Administrative Service.
The bill aims to create a distinct government office with defined requirements, responsibilities, and duties for the Attorney General. It also seeks to establish a legal framework for the office’s operation, including staff appointments. While the Constitution defines the Attorney General’s Office as an independent body, it has previously operated under Civil Service Commission, unlike other independent institutions such as the Prosecutor General’s Office, which are governed by separate laws.
The bill notes that employees of the Attorney General’s Office will be categorised into two groups: the Legal Service and the Administrative Service. Their salaries and allowances will be determined by the Minister of Finance, in line with policies set by the National Pay Commission. The bill also includes provisions for employee participation in a health insurance system and eligibility for honorary retirement benefits under the Retirement Rules.
This move follows the separation of the Foreign Ministry from the civil service under the Foreign Service Act, enacted in 2021. By establishing the Attorney General’s Office as an independent entity, the government aims to ensure a more specialised and effective legal framework for its operations.
The law will come into effect 90 days after ratification by the President and its publication in the Government Gazette.