The Bar Council of the Maldives Announces New Fee Structure

On December 28, 2022, The Bar Council of the Maldives published the new fee structure for their services, which will be effective from January 1, 2023.

Under the second amendment to the Legal Profession Act, Bar Council is allowed to raise income in addition to the MVR 3,000,000 (Three Million Rufiyaa) grant by the government.

The services scheduled to be charged includes Request for Law Practice Permit, Request for Higher Rights of Audience (both High Court and Supreme Court), Registration and Annual Fee from Law Firms and Legal Practices, Issuance and Renewing Law Practice Permit Card, Renewal of lost Law Practice Permit, Translation of Law Practice Permit, Certificate of Good-standing and an Administrative fee for Executive Committee Election from each contesting candidate.

In addition to the services mentioned in the Fee Schedule, Bar Council is also expected to collect a participation fee for the various forums and trainings held for lawyers.