President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated on Thursday that the administration’s efforts to increase public trust in the judicial sector is success and would result in positive changes in judicial sector’s cofidence in the public.
He made the remarks at the opening of the Judicial Year 2023. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Chief Justice Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, Cabinet ministers, and high-ranking government and court officials.
The President stressed that the development and advancement of the judicial sector was one of the administration’s most visible pledges in its pursuit of social justice. He stated that the administration had drafted and sent nine bills to Parliament to aid the process over the last four years, six of which have been ratified, while the other three are still in various stages.
President Solih stated that the administration’s proposed amendment to the Maldives Judges Act aims to address several key issues, including financial incentives and housing opportunities for judges and other judicial sector staff. Detailing the plan, the President said that a certain number of flats would be allocated for them from the administration’s housing schemes and that judges residing on islands without such opportunities would receive living allowances. Last year, the administration increased the wages of magistrates.
President Solih also highlighted efforts to expedite court cases by facilitating courts’ online sessions and digitising their services. He added that the Civil Procedure Code’s implementation last year and the passage of a new evidence law after 47 years are significant achievements in the sector.
The President also highlighted the proposed amendment to the Judicature Act of the Maldives for the establishment of district courts across the country, the introduction of a circuit court system for the first time, efforts to establish an integrated case management system in courts, and other significant advancements and infrastructure development projects that have all contributed to significant progress in the sector.
President Solih presented plaques at the function to recipients who have served in the judicial sector for more than 35 years in recognition of their valuable services.
