Bar Council of the Maldives (BCM) has published its fee schedule, which will be effective from January 1, 2023.
BCM said it will be accepting fees ranging from USD33-325 for yearly fees, law firm registration permits to practice law at the High Court and Supreme Court, as well as approvals and renewals for public notary permits. BCM decided to accept fees for its services under the second amendment to the Legal Profession Act, which stipulates ways the council can gain revenue. As such, the council can gain revenue by accepting fees, providing services, conducting training programmes, and conducting other activities.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the second amendment to the Legal Profession Act in October. The second amendment stipulates revisions to the rules governing disciplinary proceedings carried out by the BCM, the guidelines on formulating the council’s budget and spending, and the mandatory training for lawyer licence applicants.