Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed has called on judges to uphold high standards of personal conduct and behaviour at all times.
He made the remarks at a ceremony to swear in new judges. The Chief Justice said judges must maintain ethical standards both in the performance of their official duties and in their private lives. He described the protection of citizens’ rights as a core responsibility in upholding the Constitution.
Becoming a judge, he said, requires changes in personal life. Judges must accept that some activities they previously carried out in public may no longer be appropriate and that certain personal associations may need to be reconsidered. The public, he noted, continuously observes how judges conduct themselves.
The Chief Justice also addressed challenges facing the judiciary, including the longstanding shortage of judges. He acknowledged the work of the Judicial Service Commission in tackling the shortage and said several factors contribute to delays in cases, some of which lie beyond the courts’ control.
The comments form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public confidence in the judicial system.
