Bar Council of the Maldives Extends the Deadline for Annual Fee Payment for Law Firms, Legal Practices and Public Notaries

by : Ismail Ameer

Bar Council of the Maldives (BCM) has extended the deadline for Deadline for Annual Fee Payment for Law Firms, Legal Practices and Public Notaries.

In a press statement released by the BCM on 31st January 2023, the previous deadline set for the payment was 31st January 2023. However upon the request of many law firms and lawyers, BCM has extended the deadline to 31st March 2023. The necessary amendments to law firms and legal practice registration rules and notary public rules were brought and published on gazette on 1st February 2023.

According to the most recent BCM data, there are 395 registered law firms and legal practices, as well as 364 registered public notaries. These numbers suggest that BCM will collect fees totaling about MVR 1.5 million.

Although there are differing opinions among members of the legal profession on the new fee structure, we think it is an essential step toward achieving financial independence and building a truly independent Bar.