Judicature Act 2010

Judicature Act
People's Majlis
Territorial extentMaldives
Enacted byPeople's Majlis
Assented to byPresident Mohamed Nasheed
Commenced21 October 2010
Voting summary
  • 50 voted for
  • 4 voted against
  • 6 abstained
Status: In force

The Judicature Act (Law no: 22/2010) is a law enacted by the People's Majlis and signed into law by president Mohamed Nasheed on 21 October 2010.[1] The bill was passed in parliament following 50 in favour, 4 against, and 6 abstaining.[2][3]

Amendments

First amendment

The bill to amend the Judicature Act was sponsored in parliament by Ibrahim Shareef, eventually being signed into law by president Abdulla Yameen on 11 December 2014.[4][5] The Supreme Court bench decreased from 7 to 5 judges.[6]

Second amendment

President Abdulla Yameen signed the second amendment into law on 17 June 2017.[7] Following the amendment, the judges of the High Court changed to 11, composing a chief judge, and 10 additional judges.[7]

Third amendment

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed the third amendment on 23 July 2019.[8] Following this, the amendment overturned the first amendment and increased the Supreme Court bench back to 7 judges.[8] President Solih appointed Azmiralda Zahir and Aisha Shujoon Mohamed as the new judges.[9][10]

Fourth amendment

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed the fourth amendment into law on 17 July 2022.[11] This amendment dissolved the North and South branches of the High Court and stipulates that all the judges will be based in Malé.[11]

Fifth amendment

On 24 February 2025, MP Abdul Sattar Mohamed proposed a new bill to remove 2 judges from the Supreme Court.[12] The bill stipulates that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will decide two judges that are removed and the parliament will either approve or deny the approval.[12] Opposition parties such as the Maldivian Democratic Party and The Democrats condemned the government and called on the government to withdraw the bill.[13] The bill was later accepted at parliament along with the parliament's Judiciary Committee.[14][15] Many lawyers had submitted a 62 signature petition against the bill and asked the government to reconsider the bill.[16] President Mohamed Muizzu sent the bill back to parliament for further reconsideration.[17]

References

  1. ^ "President Ratifies Judicature Bill and Copyrights Bill". The President's Office. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  2. ^ "islaahaaeku sharuee court thakuge Bill Faaskurumah" (PDF). People's Majlis. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  3. ^ Naish, Ahmed (4 October 2010). "Parliament returns from recess, passes Judicature Act". Maldives Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Bill on amendment to the Judicature Act". People's Majlis. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  5. ^ "President Yameen Ratifies Three Bills". The President's Office. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  6. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (24 February 2025). "Bill submitted proposing decreasing Supreme Court Judges to five". The Edition. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  7. ^ a b "President ratifies 2nd Amendment Bill to Judicature Act". The President's Office. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b "President ratifies 3rd Amendment to Judicature Act". The President's Office. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  9. ^ "President appoints two new Supreme Court Judges". The President's Office. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  10. ^ Ali, Humaam (16 September 2019). "Newly appointed justices begin work at Supreme Court". Raajje TV. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  11. ^ a b "The President ratifies the 4th amendment to the Judicature Act". The President's Office. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Government proposes bill to reduce number of Supreme Court justices". Adhadhu. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Opposition parties condemn government's move to alter Supreme Court bench amid constitutional case". Adhadhu. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  14. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (25 February 2025). "Bill on decreasing Supreme Court Judges accepted". The Edition. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  15. ^ Osmanagic, Ameera (26 February 2025). "Parliament committee approves SC downsizing bill, Anara abstained". The Edition. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  16. ^ Osmanagic, Ameera (25 February 2025). "Lawyers submit 62 signature petition against downsizing Supreme Court". The Edition. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  17. ^ "President returns bill to cut Supreme Court bench to 5 judges". Atoll Times. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
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