The Faculty of Shariah and Law Legal Clinic, The Maldives National University, has launched the 1st Dr. Abdul Majeed Memorial Mock Trial Competition 2026, a new initiative established in memory of the late Dr. Abdul Majeed, a respected lecturer who made significant contributions to legal and Shariah education through his teaching in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme and various Shariah courses.
The competition was established to honour Dr. Abdul Majeed’s legacy and his unwavering commitment to student learning and academic excellence. It also reflects the Faculty’s dedication to strengthening experiential legal education and creating opportunities for students to develop practical legal skills beyond the classroom.
The inaugural competition has brought together six teams comprising students enrolled in the first semester of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme and the Advanced Certificate in Shariah and Law programme. Through realistic court simulations, participants are gaining hands-on experience designed to enhance their advocacy skills, legal reasoning, critical thinking, and courtroom etiquette.
The competition has been further strengthened by the valuable support of the Prosecutor General’s Office Academy, which has provided experienced legal practitioners to serve as coaches and judges. The coaches have played a vital role in enriching the students’ learning experience by sharing their professional expertise and providing practical exposure to courtroom advocacy, legal practice, and the professional standards expected within the legal profession.
The Faculty intends for the Dr. Abdul Majeed Memorial Mock Trial Competition to become an annual event, serving as a lasting tribute to Dr. Abdul Majeed’s contributions to legal education. The competition is envisioned as a platform that nurtures future legal professionals and promotes excellence in advocacy, litigation, and legal scholarship.
Furthermore, the initiative contributes to the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by promoting practical and skills-based legal learning; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by equipping students with professional competencies and employability skills relevant to the legal sector; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by fostering understanding of the rule of law, justice, and effective legal institutions; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration between the Faculty of Shariah and Law and the Prosecutor General’s Office Academy in delivering experiential legal education. By strengthening advocacy, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and professional ethics, the competition supports the development of knowledgeable, skilled, and responsible future members of the legal profession.
