Attorney General's Office Bill ratified

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has today ratified the Attorney General's Office Bill, which brings into effect a new legislative framework for the office, excluding it from the Civil Service.

Under this Act, serving for 20 consecutive years leads to honourable retirement allowances.

Until now, the Attorney General's Office falls under the Civil Service, with the staff being under civil service policies. However, the Prosecutor General's Office is an independent institution run under a separate Act.

With Attorney General's Office being run under the Civil Service despite being described in the Constitution as an independent entity, the office has faced some challenges. One of the biggest challenges was in seeking lawyers to work at the office.

As salaries are also paid under Civil Service policies, salaries at the Attorney General's Office are significantly lower than in independent bodies such as the Prosecutor General's Office. The government submitted this bill to find a resolution to these concerns.

With the ratification of the bill, the Attorney General's Office released a statement that with the bill coming into effect, some administrative and organizational changes will be brought to the office. They said that these will be compiled and submitted to parliament next month.

As per the bill, staff at the Attorney General's Office are split into two categories: legal service and administrative service. Salaries will be decided upon by the Finance Ministry in accordance with the National Pay Commission's policies.

The Act also grants the authority to enroll staff in a medical insurance scheme.

The Act also outlines the requirements, responsibilities and duties of the Attorney General, as well as those of the office.

As per the bill, those who retire after 20 or more years of service are entitled to honourable retirement allowances. Additionally, those who have served ten years at the Attorney General's Office and worked at another State institute for 20 or more years are also entitled to this benefit.