The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to appoint Criminal Court's Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel as a High Court Judge.
The JSC opened application for the post of High Court judge on January 16. Four candidates, including Shakeel, applied for the post. The other candidates who applied for the post are Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla (Handhuvaree Naaz, GDh. Gadhdhoo), Hussain Shakeeb, (Dholhas, Hulhumale'), and Mariyam Waheed (Balloon, S. Feydhoo).
The JSC Monday said the "Committee Advising the Commission on the Appointment of Judges" had recommended the appointment of Ahmed Shakeel (Siyaazaa Manzil, Aa. Feridhoo), as a High Court judge. Following the recommendation, the JSC, at its meeting held Monday, made the decision to appoint him to the post, the commission said.
Ahmed Shakeel was first appointed as a judge on March 23, 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Sharia and a Master of Sharia in Law from Villa College. Justice Shakeel has served as a judge for nineteen years, working in Aa. Ukulhas Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Family Court, and Criminal Court. Ahmed Shakeel is currently the Chief Justice of the Criminal Court.
A High Court judge is required to have at least five years of experience as a lawyer or judge, or both. A High Court judge will receive a basic salary of MVR 36,000, a living allowance of MVR 15,000, a risk allowance of MVR 3,300, and a medical allowance and phone allowance as determined by the Parliament.
The High Court currently has nine judges. Justice Hussain Shaheed is currently temporarily in charge of the High Court.
