Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM – Eight men have been arrested this year for posing as lawyers and practicing law, Alsharq newspaper reported quoting Abdullah Al-Ghufaili, director of Ministry of Justice's law department. The suspects were referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution and each one faces a one-year prison sentence and SR30,000 fine or either of the penalties, Al-Ghufaili said. Law trainees are not regarded as fake lawyers when they present themselves as lawyers. However, if they open law offices while they are still under training, they might face charges. There is a notable difference between a law trainee and a licensed lawyer. The latter may open a private law office and practice law legally. He added that any lawyer who has had his name struck off from the list of licensed lawyers will be regarded as a fake lawyer if he practices law. Al-Ghufaili warned the general public against paying fees to any lawyer or appointing anyone as a representative without having first checked his credentials and confirmed that he has been licensed by the Ministry of Justice to practice law.
