AG was consulted before the Maldives Bar Association was registered: Home Ministry

Ministery of Home Affairs has stated that the local body of lawyers, Maldives Bar Association was registered after due consultation with the Attorney General.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Abdulla Mohamed told Sun that following the Maldives Bar Association’s request to be registered with them, the Ministry had asked for the Attorney General's opinion on the 13th of March this year.

He said that the Attorney General had replied on the 24th of March that they had no objections to the association being registered, but had requested for title “Bar Council” to be reserved for future purposes of the State.

Abdulla Mohamed said that the title was reserved, as per the AG’s request.

He explained however, that the Supreme Court had written to the Ministry on the 5th of May, raising concerns about the confusions that might arise from a “certain group” using an encompassing title as the “Maldives Bar Association.” The letter said that the Supreme Court bench had decided, on the 30th of April, to ask the Home Ministry to look into the matter, said Abdulla Mohamed.

State Minister Abdulla Mohamed said that Home Ministry has written to the Supreme Court with details of the procedure through which the association was registered. He stressed that the Supreme Court has not, in anyway, indicated that association be abolished or for the Ministry to take administrative action against the association.