The Bar Council of Maldives has announced a significant policy change requiring the nation’s 1,924 registered lawyers to complete mandatory pro bono service hours and annual training programmes as a prerequisite for license renewal, effective next year.
Bar Council President Hussain Siraj made the announcement during a recent swearing-in ceremony, stating the measures are crucial for achieving the core objectives of the Legal Profession Act, enhancing the capacity of practitioners, and promoting the profession.
Under the new regulations, lawyers must provide a mandated number of voluntary hours to those in need of legal assistance within the community, alongside participating in stipulated continuous training courses.
Siraj explicitly warned that failure to fulfill both the required pro bono service and the educational mandates will result in the non-renewal of the lawyer's practicing license.
Highlighting the BCM’s role in ensuring fair and honest legal practice, Siraj also reminded attendees of their professional responsibilities, stressing that a lawyer’s primary duty must be to establish justice, maintain high ethical standards, and treat the judiciary with respect.