Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan formally retired from the Supreme Court bench on Monday, following authorisation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). His departure marks a historic milestone in the annals of Maldivian judicial history: he is the first chief justice to conclude his tenure honourably under the current constitutional framework. His predecessors under the same charter were dismissed prior to completing their terms.
Justice Adnan submitted his request for retirement in May. As he stepped down, the Supreme Court issued a statement expressing profound appreciation for his enduring contributions to the judiciary. On the administrative front, the JSC confirmed that Justice Abdulla Hameed would assume temporary oversight of the apex court. The JSC advised that all official submissions should henceforth be directed to Justice Hameed.
Justice Adnan's path to the judiciary's highest office was shaped by both legal scholarship and public service. He received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Buckingham in 1992, followed by a Master of Philosophy from the University of Glasgow in 1994.
He began his government service in 1994 as director of the legal section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holding the post until 2001. He then served as dean of the Faculty of Shariah and Law at the Maldives National University (MNU) from 2001 to 2005. In 2009, he was appointed to the Supreme Court, serving until December 2014. He was elevated to Chief Justice in December 2019.