Bahrain: Recruitment of judges not in govt purview

MANAMA - The government said it was not in its authority to appoint judges.

The Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa said judges were appointed by a Royal order on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council.

The minister was responding to a parliamentary question by MP Hamad Al Muhanadi on the recruitment and selection criteria of judges.

The MP asked the question in the context of appointment of some young judges. Recently a girl in her early twenties and who is just out the of the law school was appointed as judge.

“The government has no power over the judicial authority, just as it has no power over the legislative authority,” the minister said. “The Council is responsible for the affairs of judges, such as their promotion and appointment and not the ministry,” he added.

By Suad Hamada, Khaleej Times Online