Updating of Court Fees from 1 April 2025
The Law Amending the Court Fees Act was enacted on 17 February 2025 by SAC Notification 3/2025 and came into effect on 1 April 2025. The amendment significantly alters the fee schedules for civil suits, probate, letters of administration, and succession certificates.
Civil Suits
Under the new law, civil court filings now follow a tiered ad valorem fee structure for disputes:
Case/Disputes value | Fee |
Cases up to MMK100 million | 0.5% of the disputed amount |
Disputes with values ranging from MMK100 million to MMK1 billion | MMK1 million |
Disputes with values ranging from MMK1 billion to MMK3 billion | Increased to MMK1.5 million |
Disputes exceeding MMK3 billion | MMK 3 million |
The amendment raises the maximum fee for filings or appeals from MMK500,000 to MMK3 million. This revised fee structure ensures that fees are more proportional to the value of the cases being filed, making the court system more equitable.
Probate and Letters of Administration
For probate and letters of administration, the amendment establishes ad valorem fees based on the subject property’s value, with 5% applied to estates valued between MMK100,000 and MMK1 million, 6% for estates valued between MMK1 million and MMK10 million, and 7% for estates with values over MMK10 million. The maximum fee for these applications has also been increased to MMK3 million.
Succession Certificates
Similarly, succession certificates will incur 5% fees for listed debts or securities, and 7% for additional debts or securities added later, with the maximum fee also raised to MMK3 million.
These changes reflect the need to ensure that court fees better match the size of the disputes or property being addressed. By adjusting the fee structure, the amendment aims to streamline court operations and make legal proceedings more efficient and transparent.
Private Security Service Law of 2025 Enacted to Establish Regulatory Framework Comprising Licensing and Operational Requirements
On 18 February 2025, the State Administration Council enacted the Private Security Service Law, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for private security services across various sectors including offices, factories, hotels, banks, schools, hospitals, transport facilities, public events, and religious sites.
Private security companies must register and obtain a licence under the Myanmar Companies Law. They are also required to place a minimum deposit of MMK100 million as a business guarantee. Foreign companies are permitted to apply to provide private security services, but must ensure that at least 75% of their security personnel are Myanmar citizens. Businesses employing more than 10 private security personnel for internal purposes must secure a permit.
In terms of operational requirements, licensed firms are authorised to carry arms and ammunition upon prior approval and must cooperate with state security agencies when required. They are also obligated to report any information that could harm national security or disrupt law and order during their operations.
Customs Duties to be Calculated Based on CBM Trading Rate
On 24 January 2025, the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Information issued Notification No. 8/2025. The notification stipulates that custom duties on all imported and exported products shall be calculated based on the Weekly Exchange Rate based on the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM“) Market Trading Rate published daily by CBM. From January 2025 to March 2025, the Market Trading Rate ranged between MMK3400 and MMK3600 per US$1.
Ministry of Defence Issues People's Military Service Rules to Enforce Conscription Law
On 23 January 2025, Myanmar’s Ministry of Defence issued Notification No. 2/2025, promulgating the long-anticipated People’s Military Service Rules (“MSR“). These rules operationalise the People’s Military Service Law, which was reactivated in February 2024, and provide detailed guidance on the implementation of the conscription regime.
Notably, the MSR set out the obligations of ward and village tract administrators to compile annual registers of eligible individuals by 31 December of each year. These registers will be used by township-level committees to issue conscription summonses.
Under the regime, men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are subject to compulsory military service. Professionals such as doctors and engineers may be conscripted up to the age of 45 for men and 35 for women. The standard service period is 24 months, extendable to 36 months for professionals and up to five years during a state of emergency. Exemptions are available for married women, women with children, individuals with permanent disabilities, and members of religious orders. Applications for exemption or postponement must be filed with the relevant authorities. Applicants are restricted from travelling abroad until a decision on their applications is made.
The MSR also require collaboration with relevant ministries to incorporate military legal education – including international military law and Myanmar’s domestic military laws – into the national school curriculum. This highlights Myanmar’s broad effort to socialise the public on conscription obligations.
The promulgation of the MSR mark a significant escalation in the enforcement of Myanmar’s conscription framework, with immediate impact on employers, families, and communities across the country.
New Documentation Requirements for Share Transfers and Director Appointments
Effective from 8 January 2025, Myanmar’s Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (“DICA“) has implemented stricter documentation requirements for companies undergoing share transfers or changes in directorship.
Key Requirements
Various documents must be submitted for share transfers and director appointments or resignations.
- Share Transfers
- completed application form;
- Board resolution approving the share transfer; and
- copy of the share-transfer agreement signed by parties involved, with proof of stamp duty payment.
- Director Appointments or Resignations
- completed application form;
- copy of the new director’s ID or passport (for appointments);
- shareholders’ resolution approving the change in directorship; and
- consent to act (for appointments) or signed resignation letter (for departures).
These measures aim to ensure compliance with the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 and to prevent disputes related to corporate changes.
State Administration Council Enacts Cybersecurity Law 2025 to Regulate Cybersecurity Services, Digital Platform Services, and VPNs
On 1 January 2025, the State Administration Council (“SAC“) enacted the Cybersecurity Law (“CL“) to regulate cybersecurity services, digital platform services (“DPS“), and the use of virtual private network (“VPNs“). The CL will come into force on a date to be specified by the President.
The CL provides that cybersecurity service providers must be incorporated under the Myanmar Companies Law and obtain a cybersecurity service licence. The validity of a cybersecurity service licence ranges from three to 10 years. DPS providers with over 100,000 users must also obtain a cybersecurity service license Their responsibilities include compliance with standards, breach prevention, emergency response, anomaly reporting, and customer notification.
Providing the above-mentioned services without a licence may result in payment of fines of up to MMK10 million for individuals and minimum MMK10 million for companies, and possible imprisonment for individuals. Providers are advised to manage users’ data properly, restrict dissemination of harmful contents, and comply with disclosure obligations.
Heightened Regulatory Measures and Fines for Films and Videos; Scope Expanded to Streaming Platforms and Social Media
On 20 December 2024, the State Administration Council enacted the Law Amending the Motion Picture Law, significantly broadening the law’s scope to encompass digital media and introducing more stringent regulatory measures.
The amended law now extends its application to films and videos distributed or exhibited online, including content on streaming platforms and social media. This expansion mandates content creators and distributors to obtain specific approvals for internet-based films, in addition to approvals for traditional cinema content. The amendments also introduce stricter licensing procedures for film production, distribution, and exhibition.
Penalties for non-compliance have been substantially increased. Previously, violations such as screening films without a certificate of approval or a film industry licence could result in up to one year in prison and a fine of MMK100,000 (approximately US$50). Under the amended law, these penalties have been raised to a maximum of three years in prison and a fine of MMK2 million (approximately US$950). Repeat offenders may face up to five years in prison and a fine of MMK3 million (approximately US$1,430).
Additionally, the amended law introduces clauses that criminalise “disrespectful remarks about the state,” “actions that harm the interests of the nation,” and “engaging in activities contrary to the law.” Violators of these provisions may receive warnings and face suspension from filmmaking for one to three years.
Please note that whilst the information in this Update is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as a substitute for specific professional advice
