Former Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan has been conferred with the prestigious title of Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for his contributions to the legal and judicial sectors of the Maldives.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu presented the retired justice the honour during a special ceremony held this morning to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence.

Justice Muthasim, who retired from the position of Chief Justice on 21 July, has had a distinguished career in law spanning several decades. He was first appointed to the Supreme Court bench on 10 August 2010, following the establishment of the permanent Supreme Court under the Constitution. He served until 2014, when he was removed from the post.

In 2019, his nomination for Chief Justice was proposed by then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He officially assumed office on 8 December 2019 and served in the role until his recent retirement.

Earlier in his career, Muthasim held the position of Director of the Legal Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2001. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Maldives College of Higher Education (now Maldives National University) from 2001 to 2005. Between 2005 and 2010, he worked in private practice as a partner at Clipper & Gallion Law Associates.

The award recognises his lifelong commitment to strengthening the legal system and upholding the rule of law in the Maldives.