JSC holds off appointing new judges as cost-cutting measure

Judicial Service Commission (JSC), on Tuesday, announced it had decided on temporarily suspending the appointment of new judges to superior courts as a cost-cutting measure.

JSC said it made the decision in light of instructions by Finance Ministry halt new appointments, and the impact the global COVID-19 outbreak was having on the Maldivian economy.

JSC said that it did not feel best to be making any new appointments under such circumstances.

With the decision, JSC has now cancelled the announcement it posted on January 23 seeking judges for Criminal Court and Family Court.

JSC said that the appointment of each judge required the appointment of an assistant, and additional expenditure to make other administrative arrangements.

It said it was therefore imposing a temporary suspension on appointment of judges to superior courts, and that the suspension would be lifted on a later date following a situational review.

The global COVID-19 outbreak is expected to have a deep impact on the Maldivian economy – which is driven by its tourism industry.

Six people have tested positive for the virus from Maldives – all from tourist resorts and all of whom are foreign nationals. Of the six patients, four are foreign workers from Kuredu, and two are Italian tourists from Sandies Bathala.