If you have not joined the Bar Association but practice, how will you be fined?

Legal Consulting Office of Lao Dong Newspaper answers:

Clause 7, Article 8 of Decree 109/2026/ND-CP Regulating penalties for administrative violations in the field of judicial support; judicial administration; marriage and family; civil judgment enforcement; recovery, bankruptcy of enterprises, cooperatives (effective from May 18, 2026), stipulates a fine of 20 million VND to 30 million VND for one of the following acts:

a) Practicing law when not having a practicing lawyer certificate or not yet joining the Bar Association;

b) Providing legal services to customers or hanging signs when the lawyer practice organization established or participating in the establishment has not been registered for operation;

c) Self-inflicting or assisting customers in committing illegal acts to delay, prolong time or cause difficulties and obstacles to the operation of procedural agencies and other state agencies;

d) Harassing customers; receiving or demanding any money or benefits other than the remuneration and costs agreed upon in the legal service contract; deceiving customers without criminal prosecution;

e) Practicing law in Vietnam in cases where they do not meet the conditions for practicing; have not been granted a practicing lawyer license in Vietnam or still practice when they have been deprived of the right to use a practicing lawyer license in Vietnam;

e) Behavior, statements or acts that affect the image and prestige of the lawyer profession or cause damage to the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations, and individuals that are not serious enough for criminal prosecution.

Thus, from May 18, 2026, lawyers who have not joined the Bar Association but practice will be fined up to 30 million VND according to the above regulations.