President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Trademark Bill, marking a major milestone in the Maldives’ intellectual property (IP) framework. The Trademark Act (Law No. 19/2025) was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis during its 17th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on Monday, 10 November 2025. The new law establishes a comprehensive […]
Read More
President has ratified the Insurance Act (Act No: 13/2025) on August 28, 2025. Passed by the parliament on August 18, 2025, during the 26th sitting of the second parliamentary term, the Act establishes a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to govern the insurance industry. This new law aims to ensure the safe and effective provision […]
Read More
On 21 August 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified Act No. 13/2025 – the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s legal and commercial framework. The Act was passed by the People’s Majlis during its 23rd sitting of the second session of the 20th Majlis, held on […]
Read More
Recent reports of expatriates and former employees receiving penalty notices from Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) for unfiled income tax returns have raised concerns across the Maldivian hospitality sector. These incidents highlight the importance of understanding tax responsibilities—both for employees and employers—to avoid fines and ensure compliance. Maldives Income Tax at a Glance Income tax […]
Read More
Maldivian employers—especially those operating large-scale businesses—should take note: the five-year grace period provided under Law No. 22/2020 (Sixth Amendment to the Employment Act) will expire on 22 September 2025. This means that several critical workforce localisation provisions, including quotas for senior management and mandatory reporting, will become fully enforceable from that date. As legal advisors […]
Read More
The recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments is an important element of cross-border legal cooperation. In the Maldives, this process is governed by the Civil Procedure Act, specifically Chapter 33 (Articles 390 to 397), which lays out the legal framework for the enforcement of judgments issued by courts in foreign jurisdictions. Recognition and Enforcement: […]
Read More
The High Court’s ruling on the catastrophic fire in Henveiru, caused by the negligence of Green Path Pvt Ltd, marks a significant moment in legal accountability and public safety. This article analyzes the implications of the decision, the legal reasoning behind it, and the broader consequences for communities and corporate responsibility. Legal Accountability and Green […]
Read More
In the evolving legal landscape of corporate regulation in the Maldives, a notable inconsistency has emerged: many government authorities, financial institutions, and private entities continue to request company seals on applications and official documents — despite the fact that the legal requirement to maintain and use a company seal was repealed under the new Companies […]
Read More
Effective from 19 March 2025, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Tourism Act (Law No. 2/2025) brought significant reforms to the legal framework guiding tourism development in the Maldives. The amendment introduces key updates across several critical areas, including the allocation of land and lagoons, lease extension policies, redevelopment approvals, advertising regulations, and the establishment of […]
Read More
Effective 3 December 2024, the Maldives commenced the implementation of the Foreign Investment Act (Law No: 11/2024), marking the repeal of the long-standing Foreign Investment Act of 1979. Ratified earlier on 3 September 2024, the new law establishes a modern and comprehensive framework designed to both attract and regulate foreign investment. With streamlined procedures and […]
Read More