The South Sudan Bar Association announced on March 6, 2025, that 83 lawyers have had their practicing licenses revoked as part of an ongoing effort to reorganize the legal profession in the country.
At a press conference in Juba, Advocate Arop Malueth Manoon, the President of the Bar Association, explained that the lawyers were deregistered for failing to meet the required standards, including not possessing the necessary academic qualifications. He further clarified that licenses had been revoked from individuals who had obtained them through unrecognized universities or who were licensed by illegal bodies, following a Supreme Court ruling that dissolved previous bar associations.
Malueth emphasized that anyone practicing law without a valid license would face legal consequences. He also noted that some lawyers had missing files, making it impossible to verify their registration status.
Advocate Thomas Jada James, Secretary of the Bar Council, explained that a draft roll of advocates had been published, prompting concerns that were addressed through the review and harmonization of files. He encouraged all lawyers to verify their names on the draft roll displayed at the Bar Association’s headquarters and online portal.
To be licensed, advocates must hold an LLB from a recognized university, have at least one year of practice in a registered law firm, and pass a written examination. The Bar Association also has a special licensing process for foreign lawyers handling specific cases.