In today’s Meeting, Committee discussed the Bill on Legal Profession Act (LPA) (Act No. 5/2019) sent to Committee from Majlis. Committee set a deadline for this Bill as 12 August 2024. This was proposed by South Hithadhoo Constituency Member Ibrahim Naazil and seconded by Holhudhoo Constituency Member AbduSattar Mohamed.

The voting details for this proposal are as follows.

Vote: To Pass the deadline of the Bill as 12 August 2024

Total no. of members: 11

No. of members present: 10

Voted Yes: 9

Kendhoo Constituency Member Mauroof Zakir, Kurendhoo Constituency Member Shaamin Habeeb, Thimarafushi Constituency Member Ahmed Riyaz, Central Fuvahmulah Constituency Member Ali Fazad, North Feydhoo Constituency Member Ismail Nizar, Faresmaathodaa Constituency Member Ashraf Rasheed, Holhudhoo Constituency Member Abdul Sattar Mohamed, South Hithadhoo Contituency Member Ibrahim Naazil, Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem

Voted No: 0

Abstain: 0

Total Voted: 9

Eligible to Vote: 9

No. of votes required to Pass: 5

Vote Result: Unanimously passed.

Committee also decided in today's meeting that an announcement for public comments on the amendment bill for Legal Profession Act and for the stakeholder comments for the relevant authorities should be given until 6 August 2024. 

The relevant authorities are as below;

- Maldives Bar Council

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works

This was proposed by South Hithadhoo Member Ibrahim Naazil and seconded by Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem.

The voting details for this proposal are as follows.

Vote: For the announcement for Public comments on the bill and stakeholder comments deadline as 6 August 2024

Total no. of members: 11

No. of members present: 10

Voted Yes: 9

Kendhoo Constituency Member Mauroof Zakir, Kurendhoo Constituency Member Shaamin Habeeb, Thimarafushi Constituency Member Ahmed Riyaz, Central Fuvahmulah Constituency Member Ali Fazad, North Feydhoo Constituency Member Ismail Nizar, Faresmaathodaa Constituency Member Ashraf Rasheed, Holhudhoo Constituency Member Abdul Sattar Mohamed, South Hithadhoo Contituency Member Ibrahim Naazil, Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem

Voted No: 0

Abstain: 0

Total Voted: 9

Eligible to Vote: 9

No. of votes required to Pass: 5

Vote Result: Unanimously passed.

Furthermore, Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem highlighted the issue that was raised during the preliminary debate on the Legal Profession Act Amendment Bill, regarding how graduates with a Shari’ah Degree are unable to attain a License to Practice Law under the current Act, and therefore to include such an amendment in the bill as a solution to this issue. Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem proposed to write the Attorney General for their opinion on the issue and Holhudhoo Constituency Member Abdul Sattar Mohamed seconded this proposal. As none of the members present in the meeting objected, it was decided to send a letter to the Attorney General’s Office for their opinion on the issue.

Then Committee discussed the Act No (9/2014) Penal Code Amendment Bill and how to proceed with reviewing the Bill. Huraa Constitueny Member Anara Naeem proposed to hold the meeting with the authorities who sent comments for Penal Code Amendment Bill along with Attorney General Office. This proposal was seconded by Kurendhoo constituency Member Shamin Habeeb.

The voting details for this proposal are as follows.

Vote: To hold a meeting with relevant authorities regarding the Act No (9/2014) Penal Code Amendment Bill

Total no. of members: 11

No. of members present: 9

Voted Yes: 8

Kendhoo Constituency Member Mauroof Zakir, Kurendhoo Constituency Member Shaamin Habeeb, Thimarafushi Constituency Member Ahmed Riyaz, North Feydhoo Constituency Member Ismail Nizar, Faresmaathodaa Constituency Member Ashraf Rasheed, Holhudhoo Constituency Member Abdul Sattar Mohamed, South Hithadhoo Contituency Member Ibrahim Naazil, Huraa Constituency Member Anara Naeem

Voted No: 0

Abstain: 0

Total Voted: 8

Eligible to Vote: 8

No. of votes required to Pass: 5

Vote Result: Unanimously passed.