The incumbent administration’s pay harmonization efforts are expected to yield positive results, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president made this remark while speaking at the ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Judicial Year 2023, on Thursday.

Taking the podium at the ceremony, President Solih stated that the administration's pay harmonization efforts are expected to result in positive changes in judicial sector wages.

Stressing that the development and progress of the judicial sector are some of his administration's most visible pledges in its pursuit of social justice, President Solih highlighted that the administration had drafted and sent nine bills to the People’s Majlis to assist in the process over the course of the past four years.

Out of these, six have been ratified with the other three still in various stages.

He went on to note that his administration's proposed amendment to the Maldives Judges Act aims to address multiple key issues including financial incentives and housing opportunities for judges and other staff in the judicial sector.

Shedding light on further details of the plan, President Solih stated that a specific number of flats are to be allocated for judicial sector workers from the administration's housing schemes.

The president remarked that judges residing on islands without such opportunities would receive living allowances.

The wages of magistrates were increased by the Solih administration during 2022.

The ceremony also saw President Solih shedding light on the efforts by his administration to enhance public trust in the judicial sector, especially emphasizing the efforts to expedite court cases by facilitating online sessions at courts and digitizing their services.

President Solih stated that other significant achievements were observed in the sector including the Civil Procedure Code's implementation during 2022 as well as the passage of a new evidence law after 47 long years.

He went on to touch upon the proposed amendment to the Judicature Act of the Maldives for the establishment of district courts across the country and the introduction of a circuit court system for the first time.

Emphasizing on efforts to establish an integrated case management system in court, President Solih also spoke about the other significant achievements and implementation of infrastructure development projects that have all contributed to significant progress in the judicial sector.

Thursday’s ceremony also saw President Solih presenting recognition plaques to recipients who have served in the judicial sector for over 35 years, for their valuable services.

Vice President Faisal Naseem, Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, Cabinet Ministers as well as high-ranking government and court officials attended Thursday’s ceremony.