Shaaheen Hameed

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance

Constitutional and Administrative Law

Commercial and Corporate

Criminal Defence

Foreign Investment

Legislative Drafting and Consultancy

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Real Estate and Investment Projects

Tourism-related Acquisitions

Career

Shaaheen is the founder and Managing Partner of Premier Chambers. With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, he is not only considered as a formidable advocate, but also a leading figure in the Maldivian legal community.

He has extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of banking and finance. He is frequently retained by major banks and private companies, both foreign and local, for advice relating to bilateral and syndicate loans, banking and acquisition and project financing. Shaaheen is also immensely experienced and sought after in corporate, commercial matters, foreign investments and real estate transactions and has attended to various high-profile litigation and international arbitration. Furthermore, Shaaheen is also skilled in legislative drafting and has over the years contributed to the development and drafting of a significant number of laws and subsidiary legislation in the Maldives.

Notably, Shaaheen is ranked by Chambers and Partners, under Band 1 and as a leading lawyer in the Maldives, in the area of General Business Law and Dispute Resolution in 2018, with clients describing him as “one of the most sought-after litigators in town”. He is also listed as a market leading lawyer in the areas of Banking and Finance, Corporate/ M&A, Projects and Infrastructure in the Asialaw Leading Lawyers.

Shaaheen was a member of the Law Commission of Maldives during the years 1994-1998, and served as the Vice-Chairman from 2002-2007. Over the years, he also served as legal counsel to various government institutions and state-owned enterprises. Prior to his commitment to full-time private legal practice, he served at the People’s Majlis at various positions. Elected to the People’s Special Majlis (the constitutional assembly that drafted the current Constitution of the Maldives) in 2004, he served as the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Special Majlis and in the Constitution Drafting Committee until completion in 2008.

Professional Memberships

Granted audience in the Supreme Court of Maldives (2009)

Member of Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (1992)

Granted audience in the High Court of Maldives (1990)

Admission to Maldivian Legal Profession (1990)