Ahmed Muizzu has been in active law practice since 1990. He was a founding partner at one of the pioneer law practices in the Maldives – Muizzu, Suood & Co, currently named S&A Lawyers LLP. Muizzu has advised major local and foreign corporations and entities on complex commercial and corporate matters, including shipping, banking and finance, tourism development, foreign investment, and arbitration. He has also successfully litigated cases that have set precedents in local courts.

Muizzu has held notable positions which includes, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, member of the Law Commission of Maldives, member of the Constitutional Assembly, and as the first Prosecutor General of Maldives. Over the years, Muizzu has also been instrumental in drafting important pieces of legislation in the Maldives, such as the Partnership Act of Maldives (Act no. 9/96), Companies Act (Act no. 10/96), Family Act of Maldives (Act no. 4/2000), and several other laws and regulations.

Muizzu holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from International Islamic University, Malaysia, and a Master of Laws (with Distinction) from IMO International Maritime Law Institute. Muizzu is a member of the Rules Committee of the Maldives International Arbitration Centre (MIAC) and is currently serving his second term as a member of the Executive Committee of the Bar council of Maldives. He has been consistently ranked by Chambers and Partners UK as a Leading Top Tier lawyer in Maldives.

Notable Matters:

• Assisted the Attorney General’s Office in the first ever international arbitration case involving a state-owned enterprise of the Maldives.
• Represented the Foreign Investment Bureau of the Government of Maldives in the negotiations with Dubai World to enter into a concession agreement for the development of a port in Hulhumale’
• Represented an owner of a tourist resort relating to an ownership dispute of approximately US$20-30 million.
• Represented a major local company in a Singapore-seated arbitration proceedings relating to a dispute arising out of a hotel management contract.
• Represented a major local company in one of the largest cross border loan transactions in Maldives for the purpose of tourism development.
• Represented a major local company relating to issuance of a sovereign guarantee of the Government of Maldives.
• Represented a major local company in one of the largest resort development projects.
• Represented a local company in a Singapore-seated arbitration proceeding relating to a dispute arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement.
• Advised a Netherlands-based firm on Maldives law in relation to a report on legal and regulatory requirements for transshipment port(s).
• Represented a major local public company in respect of financing the acquisition of a specialized vessel.
• Represented a local company in a transaction for sale of a vessel registered under Maldivian flag to a foreign party.
• Represented a major local insurance company in successfully defending one of the largest insurance claims relating to a tourist resort.
• Represented a major local company in a transaction for purchase of multiple vessels from a foreign party.
• Represented a major local company in multiple local court proceedings relating to a foreign-seated arbitration, including resisting enforcement of the arbitration awards.
• Represented a local hotelier in successfully resisting issuance of interim relief in aid of a foreign-seated arbitration.
• Represented a state-owned enterprise in a dispute between a foreign company relating to a major construction contract.
• Represented the owner of a major local newspaper in successfully reviewing and reversing an earlier decision of the Supreme Court relating to ownership of that newspaper.