President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 3rd amendment to the Legal Profession Act (Act No. 5/2019). The amendment was passed by Parliament on August 22, 2024, during its 32nd sitting of the second session.
The new amendment mandates that the members of the Executive Committee of the Bar Council—specifically the President, Vice President, and other members—must now be elected from among practicing lawyers. This change removes the provision in the previous law that allowed the Attorney General to sit on the Executive Committee, as outlined in clause 6(c) of the original Act.
As a result of the amendment, the number of elected lawyers on the Bar Council has increased from six to seven. The amendment also eliminates all references to the Attorney General's role within the Bar Council. To comply with the new law, the additional member must be elected within 60 days of the amendment's ratification.
Furthermore, the amendment designates diplomatic missions as public notaries, authorizing them to certify documents issued by authorities, registered educational institutions, and similar documentation required by Maldivians living abroad.
Following the President's ratification on Tuesday, the 3rd amendment to the Legal Profession Act has been published in the Government Gazette and is now in effect.