A nine-member task force has been established by the judiciary to expedite the resolution of cases that have been pending for more than one year, as part of efforts to reduce long-standing backlogs in the courts.

The initiative was announced by Chief Justice Uz Abdul Ghanee Mohamed during the inauguration of the Judicial Year 2026. He said addressing delayed justice would be a top priority for the judiciary this year, noting that prolonged case backlogs undermine public confidence in the justice system.

According to the Supreme Court, a total of 13,032 cases that have been pending for over a year were recorded across Maldivian courts as of the end of 2025. The newly formed task force comprises nine members representing different courts and will begin work immediately.

The Chief Justice said the task force has been mandated to identify administrative and procedural obstacles contributing to delays, coordinate efforts across courts, and facilitate faster case disposal. He added that clearing existing backlogs is essential to ensure the courts can manage the approximately 21,000 new cases expected to be registered this year without further delays.

He noted that judges and court staff have continued to carry out their duties despite constraints faced in recent years, and that strengthening institutional efficiency remains a key focus for the judiciary. The Chief Justice also expressed confidence that ongoing reforms and improved resource allocation would support efforts to enhance the timely delivery of justice.

The Supreme Court said the task force will monitor progress in resolving long-pending cases and support courts in streamlining case management processes, with the aim of improving accountability and efficiency across the judicial system.