‘Future Consultants’ scheme to Bahrainise legal advisory roles set for debate

TDT | Manama

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A ‘ Future Consultants’ scheme to train Bahrainis for legal advisory roles will be debated in Parliament on Tuesday, following MP Hanan Fardan’s warning that over 1,900 law graduates are unemployed, according to the National Audit Office’s 2023 report.

The plan aims to prepare graduates for public and private sector legal work, bridging the gap between entry-level skills and employer expectations. Fardan said it draws on the successful ‘Future Judges’ model.

A joint committee from the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee and the Services Committee recommended approval, citing public-interest benefits such as increasing Bahrainisation and creating a skilled pool of Bahraini consultants.

The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf would lead the programme, in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Tamkeen, recruiting and training graduates. The Labour Ministry highlighted existing initiatives, including trainee placements in law firms with allowances, Polytechnic training, and language courses.

The Ministry of Justice noted new specialist roles such as private enforcement agents and private notaries, alongside training through the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute. The Civil Service Bureau stressed that Bahrainis are prioritised in government hiring, with expatriates only employed when necessary and required to train nationals.

The proposal will be debated in Tuesday’s parliamentary Hanan Fardan, MP session.