The Criminal Court has set an ambitious three-month deadline to clear all cases pending for more than five years, a target announced during the launch of a new Integrated Case Management System (ICMS).
The move is part of a broader push to accelerate the judicial process through digitisation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ICMS, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Adam Mohamed highlighted how the new system will streamline and expedite court proceedings. He noted that what once required two log books and two physical files to issue a single summons can now be completed digitally within one minute.
To meet the accelerated three-month deadline for long-pending cases, the court has doubled its operational hours.
"Cases will be scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and staff will also work from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.," he explained.
The court also aims to conclude all cases filed in 2024 within the coming year.
The ICMS was developed by the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) and is integrated with the case management system of the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office. This integration is expected to significantly reduce the time needed to register cases by facilitating the seamless exchange of documents between the two agencies.
The DJA praised the new system as a key milestone in the country's digital transformation efforts, noting its alignment with the "Maldives 2.0" vision to create a digital-first nation. The ICMS was designed to meet international standards and was first implemented at the Criminal Court.
The inauguration of the ICMS follows recent investments in judicial infrastructure, including a new complex for the Criminal and Drug courts in Hulhumalé, which opened last month.