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President Solih ratifies amendment to JSC Act

Mariyam Malsa
03 September 2019, MVT 21:45
Chief Judicial Administrator of DJA, Dr Abdulla Nazeer and Judicial Academy's Chancellor Ahmed Maajid speak at press conference held by the DJA. PHOTO/MIHAARU
Mariyam Malsa
03 September 2019, MVT 21:45

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, ratified the second amendment to the Judicial Services Commission Act.

The parliament approved the amendment presented by Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj on August 21. The parliament's Judicial Committee brought significant changes to the amendment prior to its approval.

As per the amendment, a new Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) will be formed under the mandate of JSC whereas the previous body, managed by the Supreme Court, will be dissolved. The judicial watchdog will also be granted the authority to appoint or dismiss the Chief Judicial Administrator, who will head DJA and the Judicial Academy

Upon the ratification of the amendment, the Judicial Academy's administrative staff and resources, as well as all financial and civil responsibilities or rights, will be transferred to the newly formed DJA.

Current Chief Judicial Administrator Dr Abdul Nazeer and Chancellor of the Judicial Academy Ahmed Maajidh automatically lost their positions upon ratification of the amendment.

The amendment also stipulates that lawyers applying for JSC membership must be permitted to practice at the Supreme Court. The JSC Act previously prohibited committee members from advocating at courts.

Further, the minimum age of JSC applicants was also increased from 25 to 30 years.

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