Draft Establishment Proclamation
Article 53; related appointment provisions in Article 42
The Judicial Service Commission supports the independence, integrity, competence, and public credibility of the judiciary. It is responsible for submitting proposals and recommendations concerning the recruitment of judges, including Justices of the Supreme Court other than the Chief Justice, as well as judges of the lower courts. It also makes recommendations concerning the terms and conditions of judicial service. Through fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment, the Commission helps ensure that judicial office is entrusted to qualified persons of integrity, independence, sound judgment, and professional ability.
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION PROCLAMATION
Constitutional Appointment Responsibilities
Chief Justice
Presidential selection National Assembly approval Presidential appointment
The Chief Justice is selected and appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the National Assembly. The Judicial Service Commission has no expressly stated role in selecting or proposing the Chief Justice. Any information displayed by the Commission concerning this appointment is provided only to explain or track the constitution of the Supreme Court and must not suggest that the Commission controls the process.
Other Justices of the Supreme Court
Judicial Service Commission recruitment and proposal National Assembly approval Presidential appointment
The other Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President upon the proposal of the Judicial Service Commission and the approval of the National Assembly. The Commission is therefore responsible for conducting the recruitment and evaluation process and proposing qualified candidates, but it does not make the final appointments.
Current stage: Recruitment in Preparation
Current Recruitment: Two Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
The Judicial Service Commission is preparing to recruit two Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. These appointments will complete the three-member Court together with the Chief Justice, whose selection follows a separate presidential process. For the two Associate Justice positions, the Commission will establish and publish the selection criteria, receive and review applications or nominations, verify qualifications and professional standing, conduct integrity and conflict checks, shortlist suitable candidates, organize structured interviews, consider relevant public information, deliberate on the candidates, and submit its formal proposals. The proposed candidates must receive the approval of the National Assembly before they may be formally appointed by the President.
Secure applicant portal Official vacancy notice — not yet published Selection criteria — not yet published
Constitution of the Three-Member Supreme Court
Chief Justice
Route: Presidential selection process
Status: No verified public action has been recorded.
Associate Justice
Route: Judicial Service Commission recruitment
Status: Recruitment in Preparation
Associate Justice
Route: Judicial Service Commission recruitment
Status: Recruitment in Preparation
Associate Justice Recruitment Status Tracker
- Vacancies Authorized
- Recruitment in Preparation (current stage)
- Vacancy Notice Published
- Applications Open
- Applications Closed
- Eligibility Review
- Shortlisting
- Public Information Period
- Interviews
- Commission Deliberation
- Commission Proposals Submitted
- National Assembly Approval
- Presidential Appointment
- Oath and Orientation
- Recruitment Closed
A person is not a Justice merely because the person applied, was shortlisted, interviewed, proposed, or approved. Judicial office begins only after the formal presidential appointment has been recorded.
Vacancy Information and Guidance
Current vacancies
Two Associate Justice vacancies are in preparation. Applications are not open unless the status tracker expressly says “Applications Open.”
Official vacancy notice
Download official vacancy notice — not yet published
Eligibility requirements
Review eligibility requirements — not yet published
Selection criteria
The approved framework will address legal knowledge; constitutional understanding; analysis; legal reasoning and writing; independence; integrity; temperament; fairness; experience; case management; communication; administration; electronic-system capacity; and commitment to equal justice and the rule of law.
Approved selection criteria — not yet published
Recruitment timetable
Opening: Not yet published
Deadline: Not yet published
Interview timetable: Not yet published
Application and nomination guidance
Application and nomination guidance — not yet published
Required-document checklist
- Proof of identity and eligibility
- Education and legal-qualification records
- Current professional-standing evidence
- Curriculum vitae and experience record
- Representative legal work or publications where requested
- References
- Disciplinary, conflict, and required professional or financial disclosures
Interview broadcasts
Live and recorded public interviews will use the shared THE ABC Project YouTube channel only when interviews are authorized and the official link is configured.
Official shared YouTube link — not yet configured
Shortlisting, Public Information, and Interviews
Shortlisted candidates
No approved public record has been published in this section.
Public-information submission period
Relevant, documented information may be submitted only during an announced period. This process is not a popularity vote. Abusive or defamatory submissions are moderated; confidential information is separated from material approved for publication; and a candidate must have an appropriate opportunity to respond to material adverse information.
The public-information submission period is not open.
Interview timetable and recordings
No interview timetable has been authorized.
Public Records and Institutional Actions
Public announcements
No approved public record has been published in this section.
Commission communiqués
No approved public record has been published in this section.
Formal proposals and recommendation reports
No approved public record has been published in this section.
National Assembly approval status
Not reached
Presidential appointment status
Not reached
Downloadable public records
No approved public record has been published in this section.
Recruitment Statistics
| Authorized Associate Justice vacancies | 2 |
|---|---|
| Application records created | 0 |
| Applications formally submitted | 0 |
| Candidates proposed | 0 unless and until an authorized proposal record is published |
| Formal presidential appointments recorded | 0 unless and until a verified appointment is recorded |
Other Responsibilities of the Commission
- Recruitment and proposal of lower-court judges
- Recommendations concerning terms and conditions of judicial service
- Judicial recruitment policies
- Judicial-service standards
- Recruitment reports and statistics
- Other responsibilities assigned by law
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Commission recruiting the Chief Justice?
No. The President selects and appoints the Chief Justice subject to National Assembly approval. The Commission is recruiting only the two Associate Justices.
Does shortlisting or Assembly approval make someone a Justice?
No. A candidate becomes an appointed Justice only after the formal presidential appointment has been recorded.
May the public vote for a candidate?
No. Documented public information may be considered during an authorized period, but recruitment is a merit-based institutional process, not a popularity vote.
How is confidential information protected?
Applicants see only their own applications. Commissioners, Secretariat staff, Assembly officials, the appointing authority, administrators, and the public receive only the access required for their role. Protected candidate information and Commission deliberations are not public.
Previous Recruitment Exercises and Archives
No approved public record has been published in this section.
Contact Information
Judicial Service Commission Secretariat
Email: to.simon.w@gmail.com
Do not send confidential application materials by ordinary email. Use the secure applicant portal when applications are open.