SHC Legal and Tax Bulletins

Sharing our knowledge and expertise, and keeping you up to date with the latest legal developments.

Hospitality Licensing Guide – Maldives Supplement | Issue 01

The Maldives IP landscape is changing, and the window to act is now. With the MIPO trademark registry expected to open around November 2026, hotel brands, F&B operators and franchisors need to understand how the new regime affects their agreements, their brand registrations, and their local presence requirements.
This guide covers key matters on protecting your IP, structuring your licensing agreements, and preparing your filing strategy ahead of the registry launch.  Intellectual Property Read More »

SHC Bulletin IP Trademark Act 2025

A landmark moment for IP protection in the Maldives: the new Trademark Act is now law.For the first time, foreign brands can secure formal trademark rights locally.Clearer procedures, stronger enforcement, and global alignment—businesses should start preparing now.Read our bulletin for key highlights: Intellectual Property Read More »

December 2024 – Regulatory Update – Foreign Currency Act

The Foreign Currency Regulation has been repealed and replaced with the Foreign Currency Act 2024 - which will be effective from 1st January 2025.

In our bulletin, we have a provided a summary overview of the Act.

If you have any queries, please reach out to us

Regulatory Update - Foreign Currency Regulation Read More »

January 2024 – SHC Regulatory Bulletin – Companies Act 2023

The Maldives existing Companies Act 10/96 was repealed and replaced with the Companies Act 2023 - new regime that was effective on 27 December 2023.In our bulletin we have provided a summary overview of the Act with a compliance checklist, easy for the readers to digest Regulatory Update - Companies Act regime Read More »

November 2021 – Minimum Wage

The Minister of Economic Development has via an order issued on 8th November 2021 introduced the rules on minimum wage implementation in the Maldives.This bulletin provides a snapshot overview of the minimum wage rules applicable pursuant to the Minimum Wage Order. Employment Read More »

October 2020 – Amendments to the Employment Act

The Maldives Government has ratified the Sixth Amendment to the Employment Act 2008 in September 2020, proposing sweeping changes to several key provisions of the Employment Act.This bulletin highlights and summarises the salient provisions of the Sixth Amendment. Employment Read More »

November 2020 – Amendments to Tourism Act

The Maldives Parliament proposed significant changes to the Tourism Act affecting lease rent, and introduced new concepts for ‘integrated tourist resort development’, ‘private island development’, etc.This bulletin provides a snapshot overview of the salient provisions of the amendments to the Tourism Act. Hospitality Read More »

October 2020 – COVID-19 Special Measures Act

The Government of the Republic of Maldives has ratified the ‘COVID-19 Special Measures Act’ (the “Act”) on 22nd September 2020, containing special measures to, inter alia, provide assistance and protections for individuals, families and businesses during this state of public health emergency due to COVID-19.This bulletin highlights and summarises the salient provisions of the Act related to employment matters. COVID-19 Read More »

September 2020 – Regulatory Update on Competition and Fair Businesses Act

The Government of the Republic of Maldives has ratified the Competition and Fair Business Practices Act on 31st August 2020, which is intended to promote positive competition and fair business practices, while prohibiting agreements and conduct that prevent, restrict and distort market competition, that would hinder economic growth.In this bulletin we have provided a high-level overview of the key provisions of the Act. Antitrust Read More »