President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, launched the Judicial Year 2020, declaring that his administration's highest priority is to establish a free and just judicial system.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the convention centre 'Dharubaaruge', President Solih said the restructuring of the courts' administrative workload will ease the provision of more convenient and efficient services to the public.
He further iterated the importance of "establishing justice in a well-timed manner without adjournment".
Shedding light on the recent resolution passed by the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA), President Solih said that child sexual abuse cases must receive priority, noting that courts are now mandated to complete all administrative arrangements within 24 hours of receiving a case.
In addition, upon commencing the trial after the lawfully mandated period, hearings must be held regularly with no more than 48 hours in between. DJA ordered the courts to schedule hearings in advance and duly inform the plaintiff and defence. Accordingly, all cases of child sexual abuse must be closed within six months at the latest.
The President identified certain areas for policy amendments in order to "fully reform" the legal system.
President Solih also revealed the administration's plan to transfer all the courts in Male’ except the Supreme Court under a single building in Hulhumale’, and to solve issues of land scarcity and inadequate resources faced by certain courts.
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