Upon ratification of the Bill on Legal Profession, Latheefa Qasim, who is representing the legal community at Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has lost her position.
The lawyer appointed to JSC tasked with representing lawyers, must be elected by the members of the Bar Council, according to Article 68 of the legislature moulded to empower a Bar Council. Article 68 also states the implementation of the bill will vacant the position of the current representative elected on behalf of the lawyers to the JSC. Latheefa Qasim was appointed to the position in 2014.
Election to choose a JSC representative must be held within 15 days of Bar Council's executive committee election, according to the act. Bar Council's executive committee must be elected within 21 days since the Bar Council is established.
All decisions regarding lawyers, including issuance of licenses and imposition of penalties is now included within the mandate of the Bar Council.