Shamheed proposes special court to strengthen judicial independence

Hulhumalé MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has proposed the establishment of a special court and structural changes to judicial oversight bodies to enhance the independence of the judiciary.

Speaking during the debate on the Judiciary Amendment Bill in Parliament on Monday, Shamheed criticised the government’s proposed amendments, stating that the changes would increase political influence over the judiciary. He proposed an alternative approach aimed at reducing political control and promoting transparency.

Shamheed outlined several recommendations, including the dissolution of the existing Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and its reconstitution with members from legal and professional backgrounds.

He proposed separating the functions of appointing judges and handling disciplinary matters. According to Shamheed, a dedicated body should be responsible for judicial appointments, while a separate disciplinary committee should be tasked with handling complaints related to judicial conduct.

He further suggested the creation of a special court to address matters concerning the dismissal of certain categories of judges.

To improve qualifications within the judiciary, Shamheed recommended requiring judges to hold at least a university degree and complete a specific training programme prior to appointment.

He also suggested reforming court processes so that the timeline for each case is known from the time it is filed, including clear start and end dates.

Following the debate, the Judiciary Amendment Bill was forwarded to the Judiciary Committee for further review.