𝐎𝐀𝐆 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭

…𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

By Ngawang Jamphel

In an exhaustive examination conducted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Bhutan, an array of critical challenges has been unveiled, illuminating the formidable battle the nation contends with in upholding legal integrity and cultivating public trust. The OAG grapples with a significant attrition rate among seasoned attorneys, profoundly impacting the functionality of the office. Overwhelmed prosecutors and attorneys find themselves entangled in escalating challenges as they endeavor to adequately represent the state’s interests.

One of the most conspicuous impediments lies in the absence of specialized attorneys across pivotal fields such as criminal law, drugs, finance, taxation, and public international law. This dearth severely restricts the office’s capacity to address intricate legal issues effectively. Succession planning and resource expansion present formidable hurdles for the OAG in managing increased workloads across all divisions. A pronounced lack of human resource planning and management capacity exacerbates the challenge, hindering the efficient allocation of resources.

Moreover, the timely initiation of prosecution and litigation processes is hampered by high caseloads and backlog cases, resulting in protracted legal procedures and delays in justice delivery. The constraints on resources further impede efforts to augment staff capacity and specialist knowledge, necessitating a generalized approach to legal matters. Additionally, inadequate investment in continuous legal education and research hampers the organization’s ability to stay abreast of legal precedents and academic research.

The imperative to enhance and expand internal case management systems is highlighted, as efficient data collection and dissemination of performance metrics remain critical for organizational efficacy. On the other hand, ensuring prosecutors’ security from threats posed by defendants emerges as a paramount concern. It is imperative for prosecutors to discharge their duties without fear or intimidation, safeguarding the integrity of the legal process.

The low levels of legal literacy present a substantial challenge, compounded by the OAG’s mandate to elevate legal awareness. The coordination of activities with other institutions sharing similar mandates remains a formidable hurdle in this regard. Despite the OAG’s meticulous adherence to laws and evidence, establishing public trust and confidence in its services continues to pose challenges. Overcoming these challenges demands concerted efforts and strategic planning to ensure legal integrity and foster public trust within the nation.

The OAG confronts a substantial array of challenges as it strives to uphold the rights of the Bhutanese people and prosecute those who threaten them. Addressing these challenges will necessitate collaborative action and strategic foresight to fortify legal integrity and inspire public confidence in the nation’s legal system. In the face of these formidable challenges, the OAG remains steadfastly committed to its mandate and unwavering in its pursuit of justice for the Bhutanese people.