One judge of the High Court of the Maldives has presided over a hearing for the first time, in accordance with the recent amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act.
Previously, only a High Court bench consisting of three to five judges was allowed to preside over a trial. However, the Criminal Procedure Act has been amended to allow one High Court judge to preside over some types of cases.
In accordance with the new rules, High Court Judge Mohamed Niyaz presided over an appeal hearing to overturn the Criminal Court’s decision to remand Ahmed Mujahid over a drug trafficking case.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act on November 24. It dictates that a single High Court judge is allowed to preside over any trial pertaining to an appeal filed over a court ruling which can be concluded within seven days.