President Muizzu ratifies law expanding Presidency's power over AG's Office

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday ratified amendments to the Attorney General's Office Law, passed by Parliament last Tuesday, significantly expanding the President's authority over the independent institution.

The ratified bill curtails the Attorney General's power in determining the office's organizational structure. A new clause mandates that the AG's Office submit its proposed structure to the President's Office for approval. Furthermore, the provision previously granting the Attorney General the power to legally resolve and settle disputes between two state institutions has been removed from the law.

Additionally, amendments have been introduced to reclassify employees currently categorized under Administrative Services within the Attorney General's Office, moving them into the Legal Support services category.

The legislation stipulates that the AG's office structure must be formulated within 60 days of the Act's commencement and implemented within 90 days of its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette. This timeline necessitates the finalization of the structure by September 26.

This marks the second amendment to the Attorney General's Office Act by the 20th Parliament. President Muizzu had previously ratified an AG Office Bill on May 29, which empowered the President to remove the Attorney General's Office from the Civil Service and appoint a Deputy AG.

While the Constitution defines the AG's office as an independent institution, it has historically been governed under Civil Services. However, the institution is now legally defined as among autonomous institutions operating under specific laws. A similar reclassification occurred with the Ministry of External Affairs, which was removed from the civil service through the Foreign Service Act, 2021.