Supreme Court officially starts work

September 22nd, 2008 | Categorized as News | Tagged as Maldives Government, supreme court

The newly established Supreme Court has officially started its work yesterday at its premises in the eastern wing of Muleeaage which was official residence of the President earlier. The Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed and other four judges assumed duties at the Supreme Court creating history. Three new judges of lower courts were appointed and they took oath before Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed.

According to the Constitution, the interim Supreme Court will deal with al legal disputes arising under the constitution and all matters coming to it on appeal from the High Court. All matters pending on appeal to the President at the commencement of the constitution will also be dealt with and deemed to be pending before the Supreme Court. With the establishment of the Supreme Court, there will be no further recourse of appeal from the High Court to the President. It is learnt there are a large number cases of appeal pending and the Supreme Court will start dealing with these cases without delay.

The Supreme Court as enshrined in the Constitution was established by President Gayoom on Thursday while five judges he nominated were also appointed to the Supreme Court on the same day after People’s Majlis approved their nomination. Abdullah Saeed, former Deputy Attorney General who is one of the five judges has been elected as the interim Chief Justice by a secret vote of the five judges of the Supreme Court also on Thursday. The interim Supreme Court will function until new Chief Justice and judges to the Supreme Court are appointed by President after the new Majlis is elected by 15 February 209.

Stumble it!