Former JSC President Urges Shift to Judicial Council for Better Court Administration

The administrative oversight of the Maldivian judiciary should be transferred from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to a specialized Judicial Council to significantly improve court efficiency, according to Hussain Riza Adam. Riza, the former president of the JSC and current Member of Parliament for Maafushi, argued that the judiciary operates fundamentally differently from other administrative sectors. He emphasized that the unique nature of legal proceedings necessitates the direct involvement and leadership of judges in administrative decision-making. Currently, the JSC is predominantly composed of individuals from outside the judicial branch. Riza contends that transitioning to a Judicial Council would ensure the body consists exclusively of judicial officials. He noted that a council comprising the Chief Justice, Supreme Court justices, senior judges, and representatives from magistrate and lower courts would provide far greater benefits to the legal system's overall functionality. This proposal aligns with a key campaign pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to secure genuine judicial independence. The President recently announced plans to re-establish the Judicial Council—a body originally created under the 2010 Judicature Act—specifically to eliminate political interference in the courts. President Muizzu has identified the reinstatement of the Council and the restructuring of the Department of Judicial Administration as fundamental priorities. Under the proposed changes, the department would become accountable to the Chief Justice and the Council rather than external political bodies. To facilitate these structural reforms, the government has allocated a dedicated block grant of USD 52.39 million in the current annual budget, signaling a serious financial commitment to judicial reform.