The Parliament Monday passed an amendment to the Legal Profession Act to exempt those who have been issued a special license to practice law in 2020 from taking the bar examination.
The amendment, moved by Villimale' MP Ahmed Usham, was passed with 58 votes in its favor.
Law graduates were given special permission to practice law in 2020 until a bar examination could be held. The temporary permit was granted after the completion of a special training program. Even then, the permit was granted after the Legal Profession Act was amended due to the delay in holding the bar examination.
However, a new amendment was passed Monday to exempt specially licensed law graduates from taking the bar examination. The amendment comes after protests by special permit holders who said they are not required to sit the bar examination.
The Bar Council had earlier decided to charge MVR 10,000 from each person to take the bar examination. However, the bar examination fee has now been reduced to MVR 6,500 following concerns raised by some over the high figure.
The Parliament also passed amendments to the Legal Profession Act moved by MDP MP Yoonus Ali. Under the previous law, law graduates were required to complete an additional one-year training program before being granted a license to practice law. Yoonus' amendment gives the Bar Council the legal authority to plan and implement such a program appropriate to the Maldives. Yoonus’ amendment also proposes that the Bar Council be able to run itself with revenue generated by the Bar Council. In addition, the amendment provides for the Bar Council to investigate disciplinary issues against lawyers if the Bar Council wishes to do so.
