Draft Bill on Advocates as a Revision to the Law

The House of Representatives (“House”) is currently discussing the Draft Bill on Advocates (“Bill”) in order to revise Law No. 18 of 2003 on Advocates (“Law”), which is regarded as outdated and obsolete.[1] The Bill - last version dated 15 January 2013 - stipulates the legal basis for having free, independent, and responsible advocates in the advocate profession.  

In general, the Bill regulates the same issues as the Law. However, there are new provisions in the Bill that are worth noting, including provisions on the advocate profession, the single bar association, the Council of Honor, and criminal sanctions for individuals who practice law without a valid license.