Procedures
Civil Procedure Code arrived only in 2021
The Civil Procedure Code 2021 gave the Maldives its first comprehensive civil procedure statute. Claims start in the Civil Court or magistrate courts, with appeal to the High Court and then the Supreme Court.
Key rules
- Deadline — Appeal to the High Court within the period fixed by the Judicature Act
- Deadline — Defence filed within the time set by the Civil Procedure Code
Governing law
- Civil Procedure CodeLaw 32/2021
- Judicature ActLaw 22/2010
- Arbitration ActLaw 10/2013
In practice
Before 2021 civil procedure rested on court regulations and practice directions, so the Code was a significant clarification of pleading, service, evidence and enforcement. The Arbitration Act 2013 follows the Model Law and the Maldives acceded to the New York Convention in 2019, which matters greatly for resort financing and construction disputes. The Maldives International Arbitration Centre administers domestic cases.