Former judges to be restricted from courtroom advocacy for a designated period

An announcement has been made that a set time away from the courtroom is now required if a judge has resigned or has been expelled from their post.

PNC lawmaker Saudulla Hilmy of the North Thinadhoo Constituency submitted this amendment to the Judges Act on behalf of the government.

These changes seek to elaborate on the transfer of judges from the court they were originally appointed to, on the procedures of lawyers conducting business deals and financial transactions, as well as review procedures for filing financial statements.

Article 30 of the Judges Act bars former judges from advocating as lawyers in court for a defined period.

Judges who step down or are dismissed may not appear as lawyers in courts they served in over the previous three years, for two years after leaving office.

Even after the two-year restriction period, former judges are barred from representing clients in any case where they previously presided as a judge and a conflict of interest exists

Under the current Judges Act, there are no restrictions preventing former judges from practicing law in courts immediately after resignation or dismissal.