Career judges lose ground as lawyers gain sway in Nepal’s judiciary
Summary
The Judicial Council’s latest Supreme Court recommendations have revived debate over Nepal’s shrinking pool of career judges and the growing influence of lawyers in higher judicial appointments. Critics and former judges say the selections weaken merit, seniority and confidence in the judiciary.
Key Points
- The Judicial Council recommended four High Court judges for the Supreme Court, leaving one vacancy unfilled and drawing criticism for sidelining career judges.
- Judges and former officials argue that judicial experience and seniority were overlooked in favor of candidates from legal practice or direct High Court appointments.
- The Former Judges Forum, Nepal has warned that career judges are disappearing from the higher courts and urged that most judges in the High Court and Supreme Court have district-court experience.
- The article says no career judge currently sits on the Supreme Court, while lawyers now outnumber career judges in the High Courts.
