Fathuhulla Ismail

Tourism, Resorts & Hospitality Development

Real Estate, Construction & Infrastructure Projects

Arbitration & International Dispute Resolution

Government Contracts, Public Procurement & Concessions

Shipping, Maritime & International Trade

Tax Controversy & Dispute Resolution

Regulatory Investigations & Compliance

Banking, Finance & Security Enforcement

Insurance & Reinsurance

Immigration, Labour & Employment

Consumer Protection

Succession & Inheritance Planning

Fathuhulla is a Partner and Senior Counsel at CTL Strategies LLP, where he leads the firm’s dispute resolution and regulatory risk advisory practice. Prior to entering private practice, he served as counsel at the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority, representing the authority before the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the appellate courts. He has practised law since 2014 and regularly appears before the High Court and Supreme Court of the Maldives.

Member of Bar Council of the Maldives, Maldives (with right of audience in all courts of the Maldives).

Fellow Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, UK.

Fellow Member of The Tax Institute, Australia.

Member of International Fiscal Association.

Fathuhulla acts for international and domestic businesses, resort and hospitality operators, developers, construction and engineering companies, financial institutions, foreign investors, government-related entities and high-net-worth individuals.

Fathuhulla’s recent work includes representing clients in complex commercial, construction, real estate and regulatory disputes. He has advised on disputes concerning resort developments and tourism-related leases, as well as substantial contractual and professional liability claims.

His recent transactional and advisory work includes advising on the legal framework for the sale and long-term occupation of villas within a luxury Maldivian resort, covering reservation, lease, management and regulatory arrangements.

Fathuhulla has also advised a development finance institution on the merits of pursuing arbitration in a commercial dispute. He continues to advise on significant tax controversies, infrastructure and construction matters, debt and security enforcement, employment disputes, and matters involving government and local authorities

Fathuhulla specialises in complex litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. He regularly represents clients before the appeal courts of the Maldives and advises on commercial and contractual disputes, construction and real estate claims, employment disputes, tax controversies and administrative matters involving state authorities.

His disputes practice is complemented by substantial commercial advisory experience. He advises on the structuring, drafting and negotiation of commercial arrangements, particularly in the tourism, real estate, and construction sectors, with a focus on identifying and addressing potential dispute and regulatory risks at an early stage.

Maldives National University, Malé

Bachelor of Laws (Hons)

2010 - 2014

University of New South Wales, Sydney

Master of Laws in Corporate, Commercial and Taxation Law with Excellence

2024 - 2024

English

Dhivehi