A bill seeking to dissolve the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) under the Judicial Service Commission and reconstitute the Judicial Council is expected to be submitted to parliament next month.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham told Mihaaru News that the legislation would be introduced during the second Parliament session of the year which begins next month.

DJA was previously administered by the Supreme Court of the Maldives before being transferred to the JSC through amendments made during the previous administration.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously argued that the transfer created the possibility of indirect political influence over the judiciary.

According to Usham, the proposed amendment would establish a Judicial Council to serve as an advisory body for judges.

A Judicial Council was first created under the Courts Act in 2010. However, in 2011, the Supreme Court struck down provisions relating to the council and dissolved it.

Supreme Court later established another Judicial Council in 2019 to formulate rules and policies governing court proceedings, though that body was also eventually dissolved.

JSC president Husnee Mubarak has previously said an independent Judicial Council operating in line with its intended mandate could help strengthen judicial independence and reduce political influence over the courts.