A Collaborative, Learning and Adapting Approach: Pioneering the Maldives First Bar Exam

Through a culture of open collaboration and a collective willingness to adapt, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the Bar Council of the Maldives (BCM) have successfully implemented the Maldives' inaugural bar exam. This landmark achievement in standardizing the legal profession required proactive engagement and iterative processes.

BCM and ABA ROLI embraced the principles of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA), fostering a culture of transparency and knowledge exchange among stakeholders, including BCM, ABA ROLI, and USAID. This collaborative environment stimulated innovative thinking, informed decision-making, and yielded improved outcomes. It emphasizes the significance of relationship building and networking, as strong connections were established with the BCM secretariat, subject matter experts, legal professionals and the Executive Committee. These relationships provided essential expertise, support, and resources, bolstering the collaboration's overall effectiveness.

The case study exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration and adaptive strategies in overcoming challenges and attaining development outcomes. The successful implementation of the bar exam, amidst evolving circumstances, underscores the efficacy of the CLA approach in strengthening the legal profession in the Maldives.