The High Court in Eastern Equatoria State has ruled that the closure of lawyers’ offices in Torit over unpaid taxes was unlawful.
The offices were closed in late 2025 after the state Revenue
Authority enforced an administrative order backed by the state parliament.
The South Sudan Bar Association challenged the action,
saying it violated the Advocates Act, 2013. A temporary court order issued on March
3, 2026, had previously blocked the closures.
In its final ruling on March 17, the court cancelled the
administrative order.
“The administrative decision No. 7/2025, paragraph 112,
dated 31/07/2025, issued by the first respondent (parliament) is cancelled due
to its conflict with the Advocates Act, 2013,” said Judge Dr. Lado Arimino
Sekwat, President of the High Court.
“The closure of the Torit Advocates Offices by the second
respondent (revenue authority) is illegal due to the illegality of the
administrative decision.”
The court barred both the Revenue Authority and the state
parliament from interfering with lawyers’ work.
“The first and second respondents are strictly prohibited
from continuing to harass, obstruct, or intimidate advocates in their
performance of their professional duties and services within the state of
Eastern Equatoria,” the order added.
The ruling allows the offices to operate normally and reinforces legal protections for lawyers in Eastern Equatoria State, warning that any interference by the state Revenue Authority or the state parliament would constitute an abuse of power.
