The High Court of Eastern Equatoria State in Torit has issued a temporary order preventing the closure of lawyers’ offices in the state, following a petition by the South Sudan Bar Association challenging taxation measures.
According to Radio Emmanuel, the court order, issued on March 3, 2026 by the president of the High Court, Dr. Lado Arimino Sekwor, comes
after the Revenue Authority moved to close several advocates’ offices late last
year over alleged unpaid taxes.
The Bar Association argued that, as a nonprofit entity, it
should not be subject to such taxation and that the prolonged closure could
disrupt access to legal services in the community.
A member of the Bar Association, Counsel Beda Kasmiro, said
efforts to resolve the matter with the Revenue Authority had been unsuccessful,
prompting the legal challenge.
The court’s temporary decision will remain in effect until a full judicial review of the administrative decision is completed.
