JSC Opens Applications for Supreme Court Justice Vacancy

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has officially opened applications for a vacant seat on the Supreme Court bench, inviting qualified legal professionals and sitting judges to submit their candidacies.

The commission announced the vacancy pursuant to Article 148(a) of the Constitution and Section 17(b) of the Judges Act, under which the watchdog evaluates candidates and forwards formal recommendations to the President of the Republic for nomination.

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A Supreme Court justice receives a monthly basic salary of MVR 59,700, supplemented by a living allowance of MVR 25,000 and a risk allowance of MVR 3,300, alongside statutory benefits approved by the People’s Majlis.

Under the statutory eligibility criteria, applicants must be at least 30 years of age and hold a recognized first degree in Islamic Sharia, Law, or a joint qualification in Law and Sharia. Candidates must also demonstrate a minimum of seven years of cumulative professional experience as a judge, a licensed practicing attorney-at-law, or a combination of both.

The post carries strict constitutional and ethical stipulations. Applicants must adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, be of sound mind, and hold no active political party membership or appointed political office.

Candidates must also have a clear criminal record free of Hadd offenses, bribery, or breach of trust, and cannot have completed a sentence for a penal offense, serious moral misconduct, or terrorism within the preceding seven years.

The JSC confirmed that prospective candidates must submit their application dossiers, either digitally via the commission’s Fahires Portal or in hard copy at its reception counter no later than 10:00 AM on Sunday, 08 November 2026.

The opening on the Supreme Court bench follows the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) approval of Justice Ali Rasheed’s request for early retirement, effective from the first of next month.

The specific grounds for his departure from the apex court remain undisclosed.

Justice Ali Rasheed brings an extensive judicial tenure, having previously served on the Drug Court bench, as a judge on the Criminal Court, and as Chief Judge of the Civil Court. Notably, he presided over the five-member Criminal Court bench that convicted and sentenced former President Abdulla Yameen to prison in 2019.

He was elevated to the Supreme Court bench six years ago.