Statutory Sub-Committees
The Bar Council of the Maldives has five Statutory Sub-Committees.under section 6 of LPA. Section 6 of LPA states that the bar council shall be administered by the executive committee and the permanent subcommittees convened by the Executive committee. The following are the subcommittees mentioned as per the above-mentioned section. Members wishing to join any of the below SSCs may apply via this link.
1. Licensing Committee
The Licensing Committee’s mandate includes advising the Bar Council regarding the licensing, suspension and disbarment of lawyers, as well as on granting Higher Rights of Audience, and ensuring the provision of legal services by licensed lawyers.
2. Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee’s mandate includes advising the Bar Council regarding the rules and regulations on professional standards, disciplinary procedures, and the code of conduct of licensed lawyers in the course of provision of legal services, as well as on cases where the professional standards have been breached.
3. Legal Education Committee
The Legal Education Committee’s mandate includes advising the Bar Council regarding the approvals, standards and review of law programmes and of higher education institutions providing legal educations.
4. Law Reform and Research Committee
The Law Reform and Research Committee’s mandate includes advising the Bar Council regarding the proposed amendments to laws and regulations, carrying out research into the legal profession, as well as on the amicus curiae function of the Bar Council in constitutional and public interest matters.
5. Appeals Committee
The Appeals Committee’s mandate includes advising the Bar Council regarding the rules on appeals process, as well as deciding on matters appealed by lawyers with regard to measures taken against them.
Non-Statutory Sub-Committees
The Non-Statutory Sub-Committees (NSSC) are specialist committees, which provide members of the Bar Council with the opportunity to contribute to the legal profession under various categories of interest and practice areas, through sharing skills and expertise. Members wishing to join any of the below NSSCs may apply via this link
1. Bar Exam Committee of Experts
The Bar Exam Committee of Experts is an eminent committee of lawyers, law teachers and members of the judiciary, which advises the Bar Council on various aspects of the Bar Exam and the examinable subject areas. Each Committee of Experts is convened for the duration of a respective Bar Exam.
2. Human Rights & Access to Justice Committee
Primary tasks of the Committee include supporting the work of the legal and justice sectors in ensuring access to justice, promoting pro bono volunteering across the legal profession, and the promotion of socially responsible business practices across the Bar.
3. International Relations Committee
This Committee’s mandate includes developing strategies for international opportunities for members, and the promotion of cross-border relations with international bar associations and organizations for the benefit of the international membership.
4. Membership & Bar Care Committee
This Committee advises the Bar Council on the services and benefits offered to the general membership, and the organization of social events, promotion of wellbeing of general members through targeted initiatives.
5. Communications Committee
The Communications Committee has a key task of advising and guiding the Bar Council on communications with the general membership, and public relations, including through liaising with local and international consultants.
6. Young Lawyers’ Committee
This Committee is tasked with matters regarding lawyers with less than seven years’ standing, and including their concerns, needs, and advising on matters relevant to them, and the promotion of young lawyers.
7. Civil Practice Committee
The Civil Practice Committee liaises with courts and other bodies, provides feedback in respect of legislative and practice changes, and advises on matters related to civil and corporate practice.
8. Criminal Law and Practice Committee
This Committee liaises with courts and other bodies, provides feedback in respect of legislative and practice changes, and advises on matters related to criminal law and practice.
9. Family Law Practice Committee
This Committee liaises with courts and other bodies, provides feedback in respect of legislative and practice changes, and advises on matters related to family law and practice.
10. ADR & Mediation Committee
The Committee is tasked with the promotion of mediation and forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including through awareness workshops, and through the routine adoption of ADR clauses in agreements.
