To ensure the validity of documents and certificates, official agencies and registered educational institutions can now affix the attestation stamp.

Previously, under the Legal Profession Act of Maldives, only lawyers who meet the requirements set out in the rules made by the Bar Council could award such stamps, in addition to Maldivian diplomatic missions abroad.

However, that changed and on 22nd of last month, when the Parliament amended the Legal Profession Act. The bill was approved by the President on Tuesday and gazetted.

According to the amendment, official agencies and registered educational institutions will be required to affix the stamp of attestation to a document issued by them. The amendment also provides that official documents or educational certificates issued to Maldivians can be stamped with the stamp of authenticity by Maldivian diplomatic missions in such countries for use in foreign countries.

According to the Legal Professions Act, any person who acts in contravention of the main principle of a public notary in acting as a public notary without being authorized under the Act and the stamp of authenticity and the rules made under the Act can be fined between MVR 25,000 and MVR 300,000.