LocationsRound of Trainings on Civil Procedure Code for Judges and Legal Staff Completed
December 19, 2022
Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, 19 December, 2022: In a bid to enhance continuous judicial education in the Maldives, the final round of trainings on the Civil Procedure Code for Judges and Legal Staff, led by the Judicial Academy and Department of Judicial Administration was completed today. The trainings were supported by the United Nations Development Programme in the Maldives, with UK aid from the British people.
460 people, including 155 Judges and 305 legal staff of Courts from around the Maldives were trained on the newly enacted Civil Procedure Code of the Maldives. The training in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll officially covers all of the atolls in the Maldives for the Civil Procedures Code training.
Together with partners, UNDP has been a long-standing partner to strengthen the Maldives Judiciary, bringing together local communities, citizen voices, judges, technical experts and various State and Judicial institutions to build trusted institutions capable of delivering justice to the people.
The UK has been a strong supporter of the development of justice and the rule of law in Maldives. UK support has been critical to capacity building of judges and judicial personnel on key pieces of legislation and in continued judicial education.
“I hope that our assistance, not only in drafting the CPC but also supporting UNDP’s delivery of this training, will be a major contribution to delivering fair and equal justice for all. The code will be instrumental in paving the way for and harmonizing the rules and standards that courts follow when adjudicating civil lawsuits,” said British High Commissioner to Maldives, Her Excellency Caron Röhsler.
For years Maldives has lacked clear procedures in the court process in dealing with civil matters. The absence of the Civil Procedure Code made it a major challenge for fair, impartial and consistent delivery of justice. In 2019, this major missing piece of legislation was developed with UNDP’s technical assistance with the support of UK Aid and Government of UK. It was passed Parliament and ratified by the President. The legislation will ensure efficiency of the civil litigation process and that cases are decided in a just and transparent manner.
“We hope the trainings have enhanced the knowledge of the judges on civil procedures and provided judges and legal staff with the expertise and confidence to practice it in the courts. This will be instrumental in guaranteeing fair and equitable justice for all, including those who need it the most, in a just and transparent manner,” said Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, speaking at the closing ceremony held in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo island.
Prior to the ceremony, the delegation, comprised of justice sector representatives led by Honourable Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad, Chief Judicial Administrator Aishath Rizna, British High Commissioner to Maldives, and UNDP Resident Representative, visited magistrate courts of Rathafandhoo, Hoadedhdhoo, Madaveli and Thinadhoo in the atoll, to discuss areas of collaboration with the Maldives Judiciary, UNDP Maldives and partners, including digitalization support towards enhanced access to justice and rule of law. The closing ceremony of the trainings on the Civil Procedure Code was also attended by the Attorney General of the Maldives, Honourable Ibrahim Riffath.
