Bar Council slices exam fee, registration open

Bar Council of Maldives announces reducing bar exam fees for law aspirants, who will be sitting for the first-ever bar exam in the Maldives.

The council announced registration is now open effective since Friday, August 19.

The authority has announced the first bar exam in the country, will be scheduled for November 19, 2022. Registration window is open under September 20. Students or participants must settle exam fee before October 20.

Previously the council announced a preliminary fee of MVR20,000 which was later reduced in half for MVR10,000 - students paying half of the initial MVR20,000 while the council will adjust the remainder.

The initial exam fee was not a welcome choice among the legal fraternity in the Maldives; inclusive of seasoned practitioners as well as aspirants alike.

The council on Friday announced a revised fee of MVR6,500.

Meanwhile, the council affirms no changes to the syllabus during a second time around for the exam. However, the council's executive committee addressed concerns of ambiguity surrounding the syllabus. The council addressed the concern during a June 2022 parliamentary committee meeting.

The council notes its decision not to bring revisions to the syllabus, was agreed upon after intense deliberation and assessment. The decision had been arrived through discourse between several local and international legal experts.

The council had further announced its supportive decision of preparing practice material prior to the exam. The material will be made available through the "Aspiring Lawyers" channel from the council, effective from September.

Following concerns of aspirants living outside of Male' City over attending the exam, the council's second executive committee had announced its decision of holding the exam in multiple venues. Registration forms come with option for participants to select the venue they wish to attend to partake the exam.

However, venues outside of Male' region will be announced post completion of registration process, and after assessment of expected logistical expense.