Special Task Force Begins Work to Clear Court Case Backlog

A special task force has commenced operations to address the backlog of cases pending in the Maldives’ court system for more than a year.

The task force, established by Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed, comprises nine members representing various courts. According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court of the Maldives, there are currently 13,032 cases across different courts that have been pending for over a year.

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The Supreme Court stated that the task force has been formed to prioritise and close these cases, with its work beginning immediately. The initiative will focus in particular on resolving administrative issues that have stalled proceedings in a number of cases.

During the inauguration of the Judicial Year 2026, the Chief Justice reiterated that clearing the backlog of cases would be the judiciary’s highest priority. He also expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts to ensure the independence of the judiciary and noted that multiple measures are being taken to strengthen the judicial system.

The Chief Justice acknowledged the challenges and bureaucratic obstacles faced by judges and court staff, while commending their continued efforts. He stated that work to reduce the backlog would be carried out alongside the estimated 21,000 new cases expected to be filed this year.

The judiciary aims to clear the entire backlog by the end of the year and to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the court system.