Judicature Act 2010

Last updated
Judicature Act
People's Majlis
Territorial extentMaldives
Enacted by People's Majlis
Assented to by President 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]

Contents

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. 1 2 "President ratifies 2nd Amendment Bill to Judicature Act". The President's Office . 18 June 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  8. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "The President ratifies the 4th amendment to the Judicature Act". The President's Office . 17 July 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  12. 1 2 "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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