Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla, has said that ensuring Judicial reform means putting aside negative political motivations and illegitimate agendas. He said that efforts to reform the judiciary should be approached with honesty and sincerity.

The Chief Justice said this while speaking at the inauguration of the  “Judicial Conference on Judicial Independence and Reform” today. He further said that courts need to operate with increasing integrity and rid themselves of corruption and discord in the effort to bring about judicial reform. As such, he said that the courts can only maintain respect and confidence of the people through working with sincerity.

The Chief Justice reiterated that a full Judicial reform plan can only be designed and implemented by getting rid if the obstacles that come before such an endeavor. He said that any idea, - even a great idea - can serve to benefit anything or anyone, only if the action taken to bring it to fruition is a proper one.

Indicating the constitutional framework of Maldives, the Chief Justice said that the framework consist of one of the three powers of the state - the courts. He added that it is the responsibility of the courts to compose and implement policy to reform the courts under what is dictated in the Constitution.

The Chief Justice said that the Supreme Court is one if the highest powers deemed by the Constitution. He said that as such, the Supreme Court is a senior power, responsible for organizing, and operating all necessary steps of Judicial reform and progress.

Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla reiterated that there are circumstances or justifications under the Constitution that allow the other two powers of the framework to influence the courts.