President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified the third amendment bill to the Judicial Services Commission Act, which allows more time for recipients of complaints to respond.
The Parliament passed the bill on October 17 at the 24th sitting of its third session of the year. The bill mandates the registration committee of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to notify the commission of its decision on proceeding with or rejecting a complaint within 14 days from the complaint date, excluding public holidays.
The bill also grants recipients of complaints seven days, excluding public holidays, to submit their defense and any recommendations to the investigation committee. The seven-day period commences upon receipt of the investigation report. The JSC is also mandated to hold a hearing within seven days, excluding public holidays, upon receipt of the defense.
The bill further mandates the investigation committee to send its reports to the JSC, which the commission will share with the complaint recipient. The bill also states that the recipient of complaints must be accorded the due opportunity to respond to the investigation report before a ruling is issued.