Three courts to go on recess starting Sunday

Maldives Supreme Court, Criminal Court and Family Court have moved to recess starting Sunday, 1 December.

Media Official at the Criminal Court Ahmed Mohamed Manik said the court will be in recess from tomorrow, Sunday 1 December until 15 January. However, he said the court will hear some ongoing cases during that time.

Family Court will be in recess from 1 December until 30 January.

Civil Court has not made an announcement regarding this year’s recess. The court’s regulation states that the it will be in recess from 1 December until the 10 January.

According to the Judicature Act, the Supreme Court’s annual term will conclude on the last official working day of the last week of the month of November and will be in recess until the first official working day of the month of January the following year.

Supreme Court will not conduct any hearings during the period of recess, except for when decided by a majority of the Supreme Court for the purpose of expediting the process of adjudicating on matters before the court, or if a state of emergency is declared. The court may receive complaints and the administrative functions of the court shall not be interrupted during recess.

On October 28, High Court decided to postpone its annual recess after receiving an indication from the Elections Commission that the Local Council Elections might be held in December this year. However, the Elections Commission has announced that the local council election will be held on 18 January 2014. High Court is the first tier court for all election related grievances.

All courts will halt commencement of new cases and ongoing trials in recess, but at times, continue hearings for extraordinary cases deemed urgent. They will also continue to issue the necessary orders and warrants, accept cases and will continue administrative functions as per normal routine.