PM, NBA yet to Pick Representatives for JC

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) are yet to nominate their representatives for the Judicial Council (JC).

"Judicial administration has been affected due to delay in the appointment of ex-officio members of the council headed by the Chief Justice," a JC source said.
According to Article 113 of the Interim Constitution, the Judicial Council recommends and offers advice to the government regarding appointment and transfer of, disciplinary action against, and dismissal of judges, and other matters relating to judicial administration.

The five-member council comprises Chief Justice, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, a senior advocate, or an advocate who has at least 20 years of experience to be appointed by the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the NBA, and a person to be nominated by the Prime Minister.

According to a central committee member of the NBA, Tika Ram Bhattarai, the NBA has not been asked by the authorities concerned to nominate its representative for the Judicial Council. "Neither the Chief Justice nor the Ministry of Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has asked us to nominate our representative," Bhattarai added.

"Though we have not faced serious problem due to lack of officials as of now, formation of a new team is needed as per the Interim Constitution," secretary of the Judicial Council, Prakash Kumar Dhungana, said.