The Civil Court of the Maldives has ordered the government to pay more than MVR 800,000 for failing to respond to a claim within the legally allocated timeframe.
The case was initiated by a company contracted to work on the Green Office Building, which sought over MVR 800,000 in unpaid fees from the Ministry of Housing. However, the ministry did not respond to the claim within the required period.
During the hearing, the court noted that the State’s response exceeded the allowed duration, leading to the decision to issue a verdict in the claimant's favor. Civil Court Judge Farhad Rasheed, who presided over the case, ruled that the State must pay the owed amount within three months.
The court’s decision was based on provisions of the Civil Procedure Act, which allows for a judgment in absentia when the defendant fails to respond on time. The act also grants the defendant the right to request a review of the ruling within six months of its issuance.
This is not the first time a ruling has been issued under such circumstances. Previous cases have seen similar verdicts due to delayed responses from government authorities.
The verdict highlights the importance of adhering to legal timeframes in civil cases and may prompt more rigorous procedures within government institutions to avoid future liabilities.
