The First Amendment to the Attorney General’s Office Act has been ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, introducing new provisions to strengthen the responsibilities, staffing framework, and pay regulations of the office.

The amendment, Act No. 8/2025, was passed unanimously at the 24th sitting of the second session of the 20th People’s Majlis on 12 August, with all 65 members in attendance voting in favour. The bill was initially submitted in June by Fuvahmulah Central MP Ali Fazad.

The legislation seeks to clarify the scope of duties of the Attorney General’s legal counsel, establish procedures for the appointment and employment of lawyers, and revise the framework governing salaries and allowances of employees.

It also stipulates that all procedures relating to the Attorney General’s powers in relation to ministries created by the President will apply to the Attorney General’s Office. In addition, the Attorney General must prepare a staffing framework for positions such as deputy attorney general, secretary general, and other staff, to be submitted to the President for approval.

The amendment further outlines the responsibilities of the Attorney General’s Office, sets out recruitment rules for lawyers, and provides for the hiring of legal support service staff. The Attorney General’s Office had previously emphasised the need for reforms to its legal and administrative framework, including a stronger role for the President’s Office in shaping its staffing structure.