Applications open for Supreme Court bench

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has opened applications for the vacancies on the Supreme Court bench.

In an announcement on Thursday, JSC said the deadline for applications is 02:00 pm on August 16.

In order to be eligible for the vacancies, applicants must be Sunni Muslim, and must not be serving in an electoral position under the Constitution or a law, or as a political appointee, and must not be a member of a political party or involved in political activities.

They also must be free from a conviction for a Hudud crime, embezzlement, or bribery, and must not have served a sentence for a crime punishable under the Penal Code, sexual misconduct, or terrorism over the past seven years.

And if the an applicant has a debt declared by a court of law, he/she must be someone who honors the terms of the court order in settling the debt.

Applicants must also be above the age of 30 years, must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Sharia or Law or Sharia and Law, and must have minimum seven years or experience as a lawyer or judge or both.

The Supreme Court bench has seven seats, two of which are currently vacant.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has named two nominees for the vacancies, and has asked JSC for its counsel regarding his nominees.

The President’s nominees are Criminal Court’s Acting Chief Judge Ibrahim Rasheed and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim.

Supreme Court’s bench is currently composed of Chief Justice Ahmed Mu’thasim Adnan, Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aisha Shujun Mohamed, Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Justice Husnu Al Suood.