Judge hears record 153 cases in one day

Civil Court Judge Mohamed Haleem scheduled a record 160 cases Thursday, heard 153 cases and delivered judgments in 66 cases.

Haleem mainly adjudicates housing and real estate disputes. Starting at 8 am, an hour before the earliest hearings are normally scheduled, he heard the cases throughout the day with an average of about six minutes per case until close to midnight.

The record-breaking docket has drawn criticism from the legal community.

Husnu Suood, a former attorney general and prominent lawyer, said Haleem was “having fun” with his responsibilities.