Newly appointed justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Aisha Shujoon Mohamed have begun their work at the Supreme Court.

Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir has taken up the case filed by a private citizen against the state over an employment issue. She is working on the case with Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla and Abdul Ghanee Mohamed.

Justice Shujoon’s first case is an issue between two private parties. She will be presiding over the trial with Justice Abdulla Areef and Abdul Ghanee Mohamed.

Dr. Zahir and Shujoon are the first female justices appointed to the Maldives Supreme Court. Shujoon was previously a Civil Court judge while Dr. Zahir had served as a judge at the High Court.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nominated Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Aisha Shujoon after ratifying the 3rd amendment to the Judicature Act, on July 23, allowing the increase of the number of Supreme Court justices from five to seven.

After the parliament approved the nominations, Dr. Zahir and Shujoon were appointed by the President on September 4.