JSC: We did not ask for Commonwealth's assistance for judicial reform

Judicial Service Commission of Maldives has stated that they made no request to Commonwealth to provide any assistance to reform the Commission.

The statement comes after Commonwealth announced on Wednesday that they were looking to hire a legal advisor from a Commonwealth-member country to provide assistance to JSC to reform the Maldivian judiciary and ensure that the three powers of the State remain separate.

Director of JSC, Hassan Zaheen spoke to “Sun” on Thursday and said that they had held no internal discussion to reform JSC, and had not requested Commonwealth for assistance in any reform project.

“The decision will be made by the Commission. We have held no discussion to reform the Commission. So this is not something we are involved in,” said Zaheen.

Commonwealth said in the announcement published on their official website that the legal advisor hired would be given a monthly salary of 48,400 British Pounds (MVR 983,141). And that he/she will need to compile a proposal on all the reforms needed for the Maldivian judiciary.