Lawyers not excited about judgeship

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Despite the dignity of the position, lawyers have not shown enthusiasm to become judges.

According to the Judicial Council, the judges’ appointment body, only 150 lawyers have submitted applications for the 25 vacant posts in appellate courts so far.

Altogether 300 persons — government attorneys and legal officers — have applied for 67 vacant positions of judges in district and appellate courts.

“Many prominent lawyers have turned down the request to accept judgeship in the past citing low income and strict code of conduct,” Bijaya Prasad Mishra, General Secretary, Nepal Bar Association told The Himalayan Times.

Lawyers are not eligible to fight for 42 positions in district courts even though the Interim Constitution has guaranteed free competition among them.

The JC has been receiving

applications for judges from

October 4.

Citing the absence of law to appoint lawyers in district courts, the JC does not allocate seats for lawyers even though the lawyers’ umbrella organisation has been demanding 50 per cent seats.

This is the first time that the Judicial Council is collecting applications for the post of judges.

According to sources, JC has assured it will take appropriate decision before selecting judges, however, no agreement has been reached between it and the Nepal Bar Association on allocation of seats for lawyers.

As per the newly set criteria, judges will be selected only after public scrutiny in addition to written and oral tests.

People convicted of contempt of court, criminal offence, tax default, those blacklisted over financial issues and human rights violators and juvenile justice violators are not allowed to file candidacy for judgeship.

According to the new process, after passing interview, successful candidates must face public scrutiny. After the candidates are shortlisted, a seven-day notice for public feedback will be published.