Mahir chosen for the seat in High Court bench

Ibrahim Mahir, former Chief Justice of the Family Court, was appointed as a High Court judge this Thursday.

The appointment letter was presented to Mahir by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) President Hussain Riza Adam at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court.

Mahir brings extensive experience to the High Court, having served as a judge for approximately 15 years at the Family Court, making him its longest-serving judge.

His judicial career commenced on November 9, 2005, as a Civil Court judge, before he transitioned to the Family Court on May 23, 2010. He subsequently became the Chief Justice of the Family Court following Huzaifa Mohamed's promotion to the High Court.

His appointment comes after a previous controversy surrounding the High Court vacancy. The JSC had initially decided to appoint Mohamed Shaheed, an active member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and former Deputy Minister of Homeland, to the position.

However, Shaheed withdrew his name and refused to take the oath on the day of the swearing-in. This decision by the JSC to appoint a political figure had drawn significant public criticism, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary.

Following Shaheed's refusal, the JSC re-announced the search for a High Court judge, ultimately leading to Mahir's appointment. Several other senior judges from lower courts had also applied for the post.