The Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) has announced the resumption of its regular operations and services after having previously scaled them back to comply with the government-imposed administrative measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The association’s announcement dated May 18 said the resumption of normal operations would start from the date of the notification and would include services to both BAKC members and the public.

“Employees, bar association members and the general public who visit our offices must follow health measures by wearing masks, checking temperatures, disinfecting and washing their hands and maintaining social distancing,” it said in a statement.

BAKC president Ly Chantola told The Post on May 19 that compliance with the government’s health measures, especially during lockdown, was necessary but made it difficult for the organisation to function.

“Our regular work such as the provision of services . . . including issuing certificates to lawyers, request for recognition of membership and responding to requests for the bar to intervene in cases related to ethics or professionalism will return to normal,” he said.

As of May 20, BAKC has helped defend poor clients who were unable to afford a lawyer on a pro bono basis in 2,136 cases. Thirty-one new lawyers have joined the bar so far this year, bringing the total number of BAKC members to 2,382, according to Chantola.