Dep. of Legal Affairs

Who We Are

The Legal Affairs Department is the Ministry's principal legal advisory unit. It drafts and reviews legislation, translates legal documents, and vets agreements to ensure that all legal instruments and policies comply with the Constitution and applicable laws.

Department Mandate

The Legal Affairs Department serves as the principal legal advisory unit of the Ministry. It is responsible for legal drafting, review of legislation, legal analysis, and ensuring that all legal instruments, agreements, and policies of the Ministry comply with the Constitution and applicable laws.

Functions & Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and analyze all proposed legislation and policies to ensure consistency with the Constitution, PPP Framework, federal laws, and international obligations.
• Draft primary and secondary legislation, including laws, regulations, directives, and policy instruments, in line with established legislative drafting standards.
• Lead and coordinate law reform initiatives at national and state levels, including stakeholder consultations, technical reviews, and policy alignment processes.
• Examine, negotiate, and vet contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and international agreements, while providing legal risk assessments and advising on mitigation strategies.
• Provide timely and accurate legal opinions and advisory services to the Minister, Director General, and departments on constitutional, administrative, and statutory matters.
• Translate legal documents into Somali and other required languages, ensure official publication, and maintain an updated legal database and archive of all legislation, agreements, and legal opinions.

Internal Structure

This department comprises the following sections:

• Policy & Legal Drafting and Review Section

  Drafts laws, regulations, policies, and directives of the Ministry. Reviews all legal and policy documents to ensure compliance with the Constitution, existing laws, the PPP Framework, and international obligations, while maintaining clarity, consistency, and legal soundness.

• Legal Translations and Publication Section

  Translates legal documents into Somali and other required languages to ensure accessibility. Manages official publication and dissemination of laws and policies, and maintains an updated legal database and archive of all Ministry legal documents.

• Agreements Section

  Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and vets contracts, MoUs, and international agreements involving the Ministry. Ensures legal compliance, safeguards institutional interests, and provides advice on legal risks and mitigation measures.

Leadership

• Director: [Position Holder]
• Deputy Director: [Position Holder]

Reporting Line

This department reports to the Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Jubaland (MOJCA).