News Desk
HULHUMALÉ, Maldives — The Criminal Court and Drug Court will soon move into a new, spacious facility in Hulhumalé phase1, addressing long-standing space constraints, the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) announced Wednesday.
The new court building, under construction in the former COVID facility site opposite Treetop Hospital, will feature 15 trial rooms—10 for the Criminal Court and five for the Drug Court, a senior DJA official said.
Additionally, the adjacent Annex will house 17 rooms for judges, with 12 allocated to the Criminal Court and five to the Drug Court. “This move is a huge relief,” the official said. “The increased number of courtrooms and spacious design will greatly benefit judges and staff.”
The new facility is expected to temporarily resolve ongoing complaints about insufficient courtroom space, which have disrupted operations, particularly for the Criminal Court.
The court’s current location in the deteriorating former STO building has forced periodic halts in proceedings.
President Mohamed Muizzu announced plans for the new judicial complex during Republic Day celebrations on November 11, 2024, emphasizing the need to address the courts’ space constraints. The Hulhumalé Development Corporation (HDC) is finalizing the finishing touches, with the DJA aiming to open the building in the coming days. Construction of a larger, advanced judicial complex in Hulhumale is also slated to begin later this year, signalling a long-term commitment to improving judicial infrastructure.
