Maldives

Malé, the capital of Maldives, is the most populous city in Asia’s second least populous country. Located some 650 km southwest of Sri Lanka, Malé is host to several competent law firms. Some law firms in India and Sri Lanka also provide advice in Maldives. Maldivian IP law consists of protection for copyrights and patents, and for trademarks for local residents but not overseas companies, so while some firms offer IP practices, most focus on areas including tourism, property and foreign investment.

• • •

Apex Law is a multidisciplinary firm led by managing partner Ibrahim Mahudhee, who brings expertise in tourism and marketing as well as corporate law and international finance. Hussain Shakeeb is a litigator at the firm. The firm provides a wide range of legal services to both local and international clients, with a strong focus on corporate and commercial law, as well as litigation and dispute resolution.

Atoll Chambers provides copyright and patent protection under the Copyrights and Related Rights Act, and protection of international trademarks through the publication of cautionary notices. Managing partner Mohamed Naahee Naseem provides advice on civil and commercial law and international trade, and has the right of audience before the Supreme Court of the Maldives, the High Court of the Maldives and all superior and magistrate courts. 

S&A Lawyers is a top-tier, full-service law firm with active intellectual property and information technology, media and communications practices. Mohamed Shahdy Anwar leads the firm and is chair of the Maldives International Arbitration Centre. The firm was established in 1994 by two prominent justices, Ahmed Muizzu and Husnu Al-Suood, who left their respective positions on the bench as chief justices of the Maldivian Criminal Court and Civil Court to establish a full-service law firm called Muizzu, Suood & Co. The practice initially began with a focus on litigation and quickly became a leader in both the civil and criminal litigation space. Today it offers advice in more than a dozen practice areas. 

Shunana & Co. is a full-service law firm with a growing client base, both nationally and internationally. A multi-practicing firm, the firm consists of highly experienced commercial litigators who have represented clients in landmark court decisions and legal counsel who have expertise in domestic and international dispute resolution, banking, tourism, employment and shipping and construction law. Managing partner Mariyam Shunana is skilled in both litigating and negotiating complex business transactions

Trademark Maldives offers registration for local owners of trademarks, as well as registration of patents, copyrights, geographical indications, industrial designs and domain names. It can also assist foreign trademark owners with the publication of cautionary notices in local newspapers. The firm is part of the Kashish Intellectual Property Group located in Mauritius.