President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the administration's pay harmonisation efforts will result in positive changes in judicial sector wages. He made the remarks at the opening of the Judicial Year 2023, held to review the judiciary's achievements in the previous year and set goals for the new year.
Speaking at the function, President Solih stressed that the development and advancement of the judicial sector was one of the administration's most visible pledges in its pursuit of social justice. He said that the administration drafted and sent nine bills to the Parliament to aid the process over the last four years, six of which have been ratified, while the other three are still in various stages.
Additionally, President Solih said that the administration's proposed amendment to the Maldives Judges Act aims to address several key issues, including financial incentives and housing opportunities for judges and other judicial sector staff. He said that a certain number of flats would be allocated for them from the administration's housing schemes and that judges residing in islands without such opportunities will receive living allowances. The administration increased the wages of magistrates last year.
Furthermore, President Solih noted the efforts by the administration to increase public trust in the judicial sector. President Solih highlighted efforts to expedite court cases by facilitating courts' online sessions and digitising their services. He added that the Civil Procedure Code's implementation last year and the passage of a new evidence law after 47 years are significant achievements in the sector.
Moreover, President Solih highlighted the proposed amendment to the Judicature Act of the Maldives for the establishment of district courts across the country, the introduction of a circuit court system for the first time, efforts to establish an integrated case management system in courts, and other significant advancements and infrastructure development projects that have all contributed to significant progress in the sector.
At the function, President Solih presented plaques at the function to recipients who have served in the judicial sector for more than 35 years in recognition of their valuable services.