Kathmandu, Aug 4: The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has drawn attention of the judicial leadership and the Judicial Council towards three key concerns.
In a press statement issued by Bar’s General-Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala here on Monday, the umbrella organization of lawyers in the country demanded revocation of the changes made in the Judicial Council Regulations-2074 BS (First Amendment 2080 BS) regarding the seniority order of long-serving judges.
It also urged not to take forward any process of appointing Judges at any level until the amendment is repealed.
Likewise, the Bar called for ensuring at least 50 per cent of vacant posts for Judges in the Supreme Court of High Courts are filled from among legal practitioners.
Furthermore, the Bar insisted that the process of appointing judges is based on seniority, experience, in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, efficiency, honesty, impartiality, professional integrity and ethical conduct and the impartiality be taken into consideration while transferring the judges.
The Bar, expressing its dismay at the recent amendment to Judicial Council Regulations-2074 BS (First Amendment 2080 BS), called it discriminatory in the appointment and hierarchy of judges.
Stating that the amendment contradicts with the Constitutions, the Bar demanded its revocation.
The Bar declared that it will launch a rigorous campaign with an objective to strengthen judiciary and increase public’s confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, since the concerns raised by the Bar were overlooked in the ongoing judicial appointment process.
