Iraqi lawyers protest company registration restrictions in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A group of lawyers in Baghdad protested the practices of the Company Registration Department, demanding the removal of restrictions that have hindered their work. Speaking at the demonstration, which was covered by local media, the lawyers said this marked the twentieth time they had been blocked from accessing the office, and they argued that the grounds cited for the obstruction had no legal basis. The protesters said the department has been asking company partners to submit documents unrelated to registration, such as water and electricity bills, which they said unnecessarily prolongs bureaucracy. In a message addressed to Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi, they warned that the current procedures weaken the investment environment and disrupt registration processes for foreign companies. The lawyers noted that the complex documentation demands, particularly those directed at foreign firms, send a negative signal to the business community. They called for a review of administrative regulations in line with existing laws and for guarantees that lawyers can carry out their official transactions without obstruction.