President ratifies amendment to Judicature Act to dissolve High Court branches

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Sunday, ratified the fourth amendment to the Maldives Judicature Act – which effectively will dissolve the branches of the High Court established in the northern and southern regions of Maldives.

The bill was passed by the Parliament at the 19^th sitting of its second session for the year held on June 27, with the votes of 34 parliamentarians out of 73 that were in attendance.

Fourth amendment to the Judicature Act stipulates that judges of the High Court would be based in Malé City and that all court proceedings would also be based in Malé. It also outlines the provisions for dissolving the northern and southern branches of the High Court and transferring their functions and cases to Male’ High Court.

Apart from this, the amendment also transfers all assets and staff of the formerly northern and southern High Court branches to the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA).

The amendment also mandates DJA to transfer the staff to other judicatory bodies, within first 60 days from ratification while ensuring the continuity of their employment.

Following ratification – the amendment is now in effect and has been published in the government gazette.