Manama: Judicial Inspection Office has successfully completed its evaluation of Sharia court rulings, as part of efforts to implement the judicial work quality standards adopted by the Supreme Judicial Council. Judge Abdulrahman Al Sayed Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary of the Court of Cassation and Head of the Judicial Inspection Office, emphasized the significance of this evaluation process.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the directorate reviewed more than 1,000 rulings across various Sharia courts, with over 80% being upheld by the Courts of Appeal. Judge Al Mualla explained that the preparation of judicial performance quality assessment reports involved measuring the legal and administrative capacities of judges. It also considered the quantitative and timeliness aspects of case resolution, including the rate at which rulings are upheld. The evaluation process identifies training needs to further develop judicial performance, in coordination with the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute.
The evaluation is part of a broader judicial development programme aimed at enhancing access to justice. Specialized evaluation tracks have been established to measure the quality of judicial work, with standards tailored to each area, including civil, commercial, labour, Sharia, criminal, bankruptcy, dissolution and liquidation, urgent cases, enforcement, penal enforcement, and Sharia procedures.
Furthermore, Judge Al Mualla highlighted the introduction of an open electronic system for submitting complaints to the Judicial Inspection Directorate through the Supreme Judicial Council's website. This initiative is part of efforts to enhance communication with litigants.