Former Chief Justice Uz Ahmed Faiz Hussain has expressed support for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s proposed amendments to the Judiciary Act aimed at restructuring the administration of the courts.

In a post shared on social media, Faiz endorsed the President’s decision to reconstitute the Judicial Council and place the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) under the authority of the Council and the Chief Justice. He stated that such changes would help restore administrative independence within the judiciary.

President Dr Muizzu announced the proposed reforms during a press briefing on Monday, outlining key measures intended to strengthen the country’s judicial system.

He highlighted concerns over the current structure, noting that the previous administration’s decision to place the DJA under the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had, in his view, opened the door to political influence over judicial administration.

The President said the Judicial Council — comprising the Chief Justice, Supreme Court justices, and senior judges from the High Court and lower courts — previously served as the highest technical body of the judiciary before it was dissolved. He stressed the importance of reinstating the Council to oversee both technical and administrative matters.

He further observed that under the existing system, administrative officials hold greater authority than judges, while the Chief Justice lacks sufficient powers to effectively manage court operations. According to the President, this has created challenges in the functioning of the judiciary.

In addition to judicial reforms, President Dr Muizzu reiterated the need for broader institutional changes, including reforms to the legislative branch. He reaffirmed his commitment to measures aimed at restructuring parliamentary representation, including increasing the participation of women and young people.

The President said these reforms are essential to strengthening the independence, accountability, and efficiency of the Maldives’ democratic institutions.