President of the Maldives Bar Council Maumoon Hameed has said efforts are underway to identify challenges faced by the lawyers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PSM News, Maumoon Hameed stated preparations are underway with relevant authorities to officially initiate the work of the Bar Council. He revealed efforts are underway to identify challenges faced by lawyers in Maldives although the council lacks an office space.
Noting establishing the Bar Council is a huge step for the legal sector, Maumoon Hameed stated priority will be given to allocate disciplinary standards and to ensure the standards are followed. The Bar Council and its Executive Committee are the result of the recently ratified Legal Professions Act, which is a long-anticipated piece of legislation that will go a long way towards holding members of the legal profession accountable, whilst ensuring lawyers perform their duties to the highest possible standard. The aim will be accomplished through the Bar Council which will function as a self-regulatory institution that will oversee and make decisions pertinent to the legal community.
The Executive Committee, which comprises of the Attorney General of Maldives and six elected members headed by a president and vice president, will play a crucial role in carrying forward the council's agenda.
The council is headed by its President Maumoon Hameed and includes Abdullah Muizz, who was elected as the Vice President, Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, former Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizz; former Parliamentarian Anara Naeem; former Judge at the Civil Court Aisha Shujoon; Secretary-General of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Anas Abdul Sattar; and lawyers Mohamed Faisal and Mohamed Aseel Hassan.