Bill to revoke law license for major violations sent back to committee

The bill drafted by the government to revoke law licenses of judges found guilty by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of committing actions unfit of their position has been sent back to the Judiciary Committee for further review.

The bill was called to vote at the Parliament on Monday afternoon. 49 MPs voted against the passage of the bill, while only two voted for.

The bill was sent back to the committee with the unanimous consensus of 49 MPs.

The bill to amend the Legal Profession Act was submitted by Dhiggaru MP Ikram Hassan back in June.

The amendment states that if JSC finds the actions of judges serious enough to undermine trust in judges and the judiciary as a whole, their law license will be revoked.

It states that judges who repeat such action after they are earn back their law license will not be allowed to practice law again.

However, judges found guilty of minor violations can re-apply for their license after five years, reads the amendment.

Ikram stated that the purpose of the legislature was to provide set down policies in the law to decide what will be done with the law license of judges who JSC seeks parliamentary approval to dismiss for violation of the code of conduct of judges.

The bill underwent some changes during the committee stage, including amending that judges dismissed by JSC for misconduct will have their law license revoked for six months.