SC nears formation of independent judiciary, judges' appointment council

The Supreme Court has announced that it is nearing the establishment of an independent judiciary and the formation of an autonomous council for appointing judges to the High Court.

In a notification issued today (24 December) by the SC's Public Relations Department, it was stated that the SC sent a proposal regarding the formation of a judicial secretariat to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs on 27 October.

Subsequently, on 10 December, three SC registrars presented a presentation on various strategic issues of the proposed judicial secretariat to the officials of the ministry in the presence of the Law and Justice Division secretary.

"The matter of establishing a separate judicial secretariat is currently under process at the law ministry. It is expected that the steps taken by the SC and the ministry regarding the establishment of a separate secretariat for the judiciary will soon be visible."

The notification further stated that the establishment of a separate judicial secretariat will end the prevailing dual governance in matters of appointment, transfer, promotion, discipline and leave of judges of lower courts, and will ensure the true independence of the judiciary.

Furthermore, in continuation of the roadmap announced on 21 September, work is already underway to enact a specific law for the appointment of judges to the High Court.

A draft ordinance in this regard was prepared and the opinions of judges were sought. In light of those opinions, it was sent to the law ministry on 28 November, the notification added.