Yameen Proposes Mercantile Courts with Foreign Judges for Major Investment disputes

Former President Abdulla Yameen has proposed establishing specialised mercantile courts staffed by experienced foreign judges to resolve major commercial disputes involving local businesses and foreign investors.

Speaking at a People’s National Front (PNF) meeting in Addu City’s Feydhoo on Saturday, Yameen said the proposal could form part of his manifesto for the 2028 presidential election. He said the courts could include judges with experience practising in jurisdictions such as Singapore.

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Yameen said a lack of confidence in the Maldivian judicial system was among the obstacles facing foreign investment, arguing that commercial disputes can remain unresolved in the courts for extended periods.

He proposed that the specialised courts resolve cases within around 15 to 20 days, with limited avenues for further litigation after a ruling.

Yameen said foreign judges would help reduce the potential for political or other influence over commercial cases. He argued that the scale of investment in the Maldives’ tourism industry justified the cost of bringing in experienced international judges, citing salaries of up to USD 60,000 per month.

He also said strong investment laws alone would not be sufficient to attract major investors unless they had confidence that their investments would be protected and disputes resolved promptly.