THIMPHU – More than 100 legal professionals from government agencies gathered at the Professional Development Centre in Tsirang for a three-day Government Legal Professionals Conference, organised by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
The conference provided a valuable platform for legal professionals to reconnect, exchange experiences, and strengthen collaboration, ultimately supporting more effective public service delivery.
Attorney General Sonam Tashi emphasised the importance of teamwork, coordination, and knowledge sharing among legal professionals, highlighting that justice is fundamentally about serving the people, not merely applying the law.
During the event, the OAG outlined key institutional developments, including the establishment of the Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation Division, as well as plans to create a Drug Prevention Division to tackle emerging challenges related to drug-related offences.
Other initiatives shared included Individual Work Plans, revised Terms of Reference, Standard Operating Procedures, and upcoming capacity-building programmes.
The conference also featured technical sessions on significant legal developments. Discussions on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act 2025 focused on enhancing transparency, efficiency, and compliance under a uniform taxation framework.
Sessions on corporate law emphasised aligning Bhutan’s legal frameworks with the country’s economic context while balancing regulation with ease of doing business and encouraging private sector engagement.
Other sessions highlighted national initiatives such as Pelsung, Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) – including digitally verifiable credentials and digital signatures, forensic crime scene investigations, and Rules of Procedure for Legislative Impact Assessment.
Throughout the three days, participants shared challenges faced within their respective offices and proposed practical, innovative solutions to improve the efficiency, inclusiveness, and responsiveness of Bhutan’s justice system.
The OAG affirmed that insights from the conference will inform actionable plans, with active engagement of relevant stakeholders to implement recommendations aimed at building a more responsive, efficient, and people-centred justice system in Bhutan.
The conference concluded as a significant milestone in strengthening legal services and promoting collaboration among government legal professionals.
