THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN’S NATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT 2025

37 Lawyers Sector Introduction 168. The lawyer’s sector in Bahrain plays a key role in the legal system, offering a broad range of legal services, under the supervision of the MOJ overseeing compliance with legal, ethical, AML/CFT/CPF requirements. Overall Risks 169. The Ministry conducts thorough monitoring activities, including Risk-based supervision to assess compliance with AML/CFT/CPF regulations. The MOJ also issued relative circulars and guidance papers to the sector. 170. The MOJ organize training sessions for the staff in charge with supervision of lawyers, as well as lawyers, to enhance their understanding of CDD procedures, identifying high-risk transactions, and filing STRs. These training initiatives aim to strengthen the capacity to monitor and report suspicious activities. The Ministry is working to expand and enhance training efforts to keep pace with emerging risks and ensure full compliance with AML/CFT/CPF regulations. 171. As a legal profession and based on the FATF methodology, lawyers are considered a reporting entity, and therefore, subject to AML/CFT/CPF requirements when they prepare for, or carry out, transactions for their client concerning the following activities: • (i) buying and selling of real estate; • (ii) managing of client money, securities or other assets; • (iii) management of bank, savings or securities accounts; • (iv) organisation of contributions for the creation, operation or management of companies; • (v) creating, operating or management of legal persons or arrangements and buying and selling of business entities. 172. Given the overall threat of money laundering within this sector and the mitigation measures adopted by the sector and the MOJ, lawyer’s sector is considered medium. Jewellery and Precious Metals Dealers (DPMS) Introduction 173. The jewellery and precious metals sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain enjoys a wide regional and global reputation, as it is renowned for its high quality and distinctiveness. The sector is regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and entities operating in the sector must comply with AML/CFT/CPF requirements. 174. Bahrain plays a vital role in the regional gold market and contributes to the global trade of finished gold products and testing, including other precious metals. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has implemented robust regulations requiring all gold to be tested and stamped with a unique code