During the 16th Sitting today, the Legislative Committee (LC) presented the Jabmi (Amendment) Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2026 to the House for deliberation.

Presenting the Bill, the LC Chairperson, Hon’ble Tashi Chhozom, stated that the proposed amendments seek to strengthen the legal profession and enhance the capacity of the Jabmi Tshogdey in response to Bhutan’s evolving legal, social and economic landscape. She noted that access to justice and the right to legal representation are fundamental constitutional guarantees that require competent, accountable and ethical legal professionals supported by a strong regulatory body.

She highlighted that the proposed amendments aim to enhance the independence and efficiency of the Jabmi Tshogdey by addressing challenges such as limited financial and human resources and the absence of remuneration for its leadership. The amendments also seek to strengthen professional standards through improved certification processes, continuous legal education, ethical oversight and disciplinary mechanisms.

She further noted that the proposed amendments are aligned with Bhutan’s economic transformation initiatives, including the Gelephu Mindfulness City and the Diamond Strategy. In this regard, she stated that the legal profession must evolve to support complex commercial transactions, foreign investments and cross-border legal challenges. She added that a robust and independent Jabmi Tshogdey is essential for upholding the rule of law, safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring investor confidence in a rapidly changing national and global environment.

Following the presentation, Members of the House deliberated on the proposed amendments and shared their views and recommendations on strengthening the legal profession and enhancing the role of the Jabmi Tshogdey in upholding the rule of law and ensuring access to justice.