AG’s office to dissolve Hulhumale court
The High Court acknowledged that there are no issues regarding the legal jurisdiction of the Hulhumalé Magistrate’s Court.
The Attorney General’s (AG) Office announced Wednesday that the Hulhumalé Magistrate’s Court will be abolished following a recent ruling by the High Court.
The decision comes amid legal concerns over maintaining a separate magistrate’s court in Hulhumalé, given the proximity of superior courts in Malé.
The High Court, in its ruling, highlighted several challenges with the existence of a magistrate’s court in Hulhumalé:
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Since Malé and Hulhumalé are within close geographical proximity, both areas fall under the jurisdiction of Superior Courts in Malé. This has created ambiguity and raised administrative concerns.
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The High Court acknowledged that there are no issues regarding the legal jurisdiction of the Hulhumalé Magistrate’s Court. However, the existence of separate courts in such a closely connected area has led to logistical and jurisdictional challenges.
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The High Court noted that the Supreme Court previously declared the Hulhumalé Magistrate’s Court a valid and lawful court in 2012. However, the recent judgment suggests that practical issues still remain regarding its operation alongside Superior Courts in Malé.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham confirmed on Wednesday that the government will proceed with abolishing the Hulhumalé Magistrate’s Court. He announced that the necessary legislative amendments are already in progress.
“We have decided to change the law, and the bill is currently being drafted,” Usham told the media.
The Courts Act stipulates that the establishment of divisions of the superior courts in Malé must be done by decree of the Chief Justice.
However, part of the Criminal Court had started operating in Hulhumalé without a formal resolution from the Chief Justice designating it as an official division. This procedural gap is one of the factors contributing to the current legal ambiguity.
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