Tuesday 21 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has issued a formal notice prohibiting the provision of legal services by unlicensed individuals and establishments, reaffirming the need to comply with the country’s regulatory framework governing legal practice.
In a statement released on April 21, 2026, the Ministry said it had observed that certain entities—including libraries, document copying offices, Sanad Service Centres, and transaction follow-up offices—were offering services of a legal nature. These include drafting legal memoranda, preparing statements of claim, providing legal advice, drafting contracts, facilitating notarization procedures, and handling company incorporation processes.
The Ministry clarified that such activities fall under advocacy and legal consultancy, which are strictly regulated professions in Oman. Under Royal Decree No. 41/2024, these services may only be carried out by licensed law firms and legal consultancy offices authorized by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.
Officials emphasized that the unauthorized practice of legal services constitutes a violation of the law and may expose offenders to legal action. The Ministry called on all entities engaged in such activities to immediately cease offering legal services unless properly licensed, and to adhere fully to the provisions of the law.
The notice forms part of broader regulatory efforts to safeguard the integrity of the legal profession, ensure the quality of legal services, and protect the rights of individuals and businesses seeking professional legal support.
