The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued a call for nominations to fill ten vacant positions on the High Court bench and one vacancy on the Administrative Court.
In a notice published today, the The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has invited members of the public to nominate eligible candidates for the named vacancies on the High Court bench. The deadline for nominations is April 24.
The High Court, which comprises 67 judges across divisions in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, and Mutare, has experienced several departures over the past few years, with at least seven judges either being dismissed or resigning from their positions.
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According to Section 179 of the Constitution, candidates eligible for appointment as judges of the High Court must meet specific criteria. They must be at least 40 years old and have served as a judge in a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in a country where the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, with English recognized as an official language.
Alternatively, candidates must have been qualified legal practitioners in Zimbabwe or in a country where Roman-Dutch or English law is practiced for a minimum of seven years and maintain their qualification while being Zimbabwean citizens.
In addition to meeting these prerequisites, candidates must demonstrate that they are suitable individuals to hold the position of a High Court judge. This assessment considers their personal attributes, standing in society and the legal profession, legal experience, background, and other pertinent factors not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.