Hulhumalé Court's authority to hear criminal cases questioned

With Criminal Court now operating out of Hulhumalé as well, the authority of Hulhumalé Magistrate Court to hear criminal cases was questioned at the High Court yesterday.

According to the Judicature Act of Maldives, if a superior court such as the Criminal Court, or a division of such a court is established in an island where there is a magistrate court, the magistrate court would not have the authority to hear cases designated for the superior court.