Chief Justice Uz Abdul Ghanee Mohamed has said that resolving cases pending for more than one year will be the judiciary’s top priority in 2026, as part of efforts to reduce case backlogs and improve the timely delivery of justice.

He made the remarks while delivering the Judicial Statement at the ceremony held to inaugurate the Judicial Year 2026, attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Speaker of Parliament, judges, judicial staff and senior State officials.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Justice said that while judges and court staff have continued to uphold justice despite longstanding institutional challenges, delays in case disposal remain a major concern. He said the judiciary aims to prioritise the disposal of cases that have exceeded one year in duration, noting that justice delayed undermines public confidence in the justice system.

The Chief Justice said a total of 1,332 cases across different courts were pending for more than one year at the start of 2026. He added that the courts expect to receive approximately 21,000 new cases this year, underscoring the need for targeted measures to address delays and improve case management.

He noted that recent steps taken by the Government have helped address some structural challenges faced by the judiciary, including the allocation of a fixed share of State revenue to strengthen judicial independence. He also highlighted improvements to salaries and allowances for judicial officers, as well as efforts to address space constraints within court facilities. The Chief Justice said the commencement of construction of a new court complex this year would be a significant milestone in improving the working environment of the judiciary.

The Chief Justice further announced that a special task force will be established this week to identify systemic obstacles contributing to delays and to coordinate solutions across relevant institutions. He said the objective is to strengthen the efficiency and accountability of the justice system by the end of the year.