Two veteran judges have applied for the seat soon to be left vacant on the Supreme Court bench.
Former High Court judge Ali Sameer and High Court judge Abdul Raoof Ibrahim are understood to be the only candidates who applied before the deadline closed at 10:00 this morning. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has yet to officially announce the applicants.
The vacancy follows Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain’s decision to retire. The JSC approved his retirement with honour at its sitting on 28 October and opened the post for applications the same day.
Both candidates studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
Sameer later earned a master’s degree in Malaysia. He served as Secretary of the Criminal Court and as Chief Judge of the Civil Court before joining the High Court in 2011. He also served as Deputy Prosecutor General.
Raoof has been on the bench since 2006, sitting as a judge in the Sharia courts before his appointment to the High Court in 2011. He has also worked at the Attorney General’s Office and the Civil Court.
Applicants must hold a first degree in Islamic Sharia, law or both, and have at least seven years’ experience as a judge or lawyer.
A Supreme Court justice earns a basic salary of MVR 59,700, plus a MVR 25,000 allowance and a MVR 3,000 risk allowance.
Under the Constitution, the President appoints Supreme Court justices after consulting the JSC, and the appointment must be approved by the People’s Majlis.
Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain’s retirement takes effect on 1 December.
