Muscat – The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) has issued a warning to libraries, document copying offices, Sanad service centres and transaction follow-up offices against providing legal services without proper authorisation.

In a notice issued on April 21, the ministry said it has observed that some establishments are offering services of a legal nature, including preparing statements of claim and legal memoranda, providing legal advice, drafting contracts and facilitating notarisation before competent authorities unlawfully. Some offices were also found to assist clients with company incorporation procedures.

MoCIIP stressed that such activities fall under advocacy and legal consultancy services regulated under Royal Decree No 41/2024 and cannot be practised by unlicensed individuals or establishments.

According to the law, the provision of legal advice, drafting legal documents and related services is restricted to law firms and legal consultancy offices licensed by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Authorities called on all entities engaged in the stated activities to comply with the provisions of the law and immediately refrain from offering legal services without a licence.

The ministry warned that violators may face legal action under the applicable legislation if they continue to provide such services without authorisation.