Single-judge preside over a case in High Court for the first time

In a first-ever, hearings in a case lodged at High Court have commenced with a single judge presiding.

Previously, the law dictated that cases lodged at High Court can only be overseen by a judges’ bench of more than one judge, which is also an odd number.

However, the latest amendment to the law allows a single judge to preside over cases that are required to be finished within seven days.

In line with the amendment, for the first time ever on Tuesday, hearings in a High Court case commenced with a single judge presiding; Judge Mohamed Niyaz.

The case is with respect to the appeal of a Criminal Court’s decision to release a suspect charged with drug trafficking from custody.