President ratifies bill amending investigation procedure of complaints submitted to JSC

President Ibrahim Mohamed gave his ratification to the third amendment bill to the Judicial Service Commission Act on Thursday which changes the current investigation procedure of complaints submitted to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The bill was passed by the Parliament during its 24^th sitting of the third session this year held on Monday, October 17.

The bill mandates the JSC’s registration committee to notify the commission of its decision on proceeding with or rejecting a complaint within a 14-day timeframe from the date the complaint was submitted. This time frame does not include public holidays.

Apart from this, the bill also grants recipients of complaints seven days, excluding public holidays, to submit their defense and any recommendations to the investigation committee. This seven-day period commences upon receipt of the investigation report. 

With the amendment, JSC will be mandated to hold a hearing within seven days upon receipt of defense. The seven-day time frame doe not include public holidays.

The bill also mandates the investigation committee to send its reports to the commission, which the commission will share with the complaint recipient. It further states that the recipient of complaints must be accorded the due opportunity to respond to the investigation report before a ruling is issued.

With the ratification of the bill – the amendment is now in effect, and has been published in the government gazette.