A cohort of 39 aspiring legal professionals has officially entered the legal fraternity after taking the oath of office in a ceremony held in the capital.
Among the newly sworn-in lawyers, 28 are women and 11 are men, marking a significant step toward gender balance in the country’s legal sector. The oath was administered by High Court Judge Fathimath Farheeza, while the permit to practice was handed over by the Chief Guest, Supreme Court Justice Dr Mohamed Ibrahim.
With this induction, the total number of members of the Bar Council of Maldives rises to 1,952, of whom 533 are currently licensed to practice law under the Legal Profession Act.
In his keynote address, Justice Dr Mohamed Ibrahim emphasised the noble responsibilities inherent in the legal profession.
“Legal advocacy is the oldest profession and it is an essential service to society,” he stated, urging the new lawyers to uphold integrity and professionalism.
“I advise you to work honestly, faithfully, and diligently in this endeavour. Always respect and uphold professionalism, confidentiality, and attorney-client privileges,” he added, underscoring the ethical foundations essential for public trust in the justice system.
Bar Council President Hussain Siraj echoed these sentiments, reminding the graduates that true success as a lawyer extends beyond winning cases.
“The real success is to help establish justice and build a culture of justice among individuals and society as a whole,” Siraj said.
He stressed the importance of ethical conduct, particularly in maintaining client confidentiality and handling cases with sincerity and transparency.
Since the enactment of the Legal Profession Act in 2019, aspiring lawyers in the Maldives must pass a rigorous bar examination and complete a mandatory training programme to qualify for admission.