The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to undertake measures to resolve prolonged court proceedings and case backlogs, according to JSC President Hussain Riza Adam.

Speaking at the ‘Judicial Year 2025’ inauguration ceremony on Tuesday night, Hussain stated that swift resolution of court cases remains the public's greatest aspiration regarding the judiciary, with most JSC complaints concerning case delays.

He particularly stressed concerns about individuals held in pre-trial detention, highlighting the issue of prolonged proceedings for those ordered to remain in custody until trial completion.

Hussain emphasised that responsibility for delays extends beyond the courts, comparing it to how fever affects an entire system. He outlined several institutional bottlenecks: the Prosecutor General's Office requesting postponements, police failing to produce witnesses, courts unable to serve summonses due to incorrect addresses, Correctional Service's delays in presenting detainees, and defence counsel seeking adjournments.

The JSC is set to prioritise these issues this year through stakeholder meetings and quarterly reviews of court cancellation statistics.

Hussain highlighted how the newly implemented Civil Procedure Code has exacerbated backlogs, delayed civil cases, increased state expenditure, and caused substantial losses to banks, companies, and businesses.

The commission has drafted amendments to the Civil Procedure Act, forwarded to the Attorney General's Office on November 7, 2024 – these amendments could expedite civil cases by 60 per cent.

Following meetings with Superior Courts in Malé and Magistrate Courts in the atolls to identify challenges, the JSC has requested the Judicial Administration to work with the Ministry of Finance and Planning on implementing solutions over four quarters.