The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to raise the constitutionally prescribed retirement age of judges, as part of a wider reform package aimed at making judicial proceedings more efficient and orderly.
According to the government, the move comes amid plans to expand the number of courts and enable the Court of Appeal to function regionally.
By extending the service period of experienced judges, the government hopes to ensure that courts benefit from their expertise while addressing delays caused by heavy caseloads.
The proposal also identifies the need to increase the number of judges in both the Court of Appeal and the High Courts.
Provincial High Courts with criminal jurisdiction and Civil Appellate High Courts have been struggling with large volumes of cases, prompting calls for additional appointments to speed up resolutions.
The reforms, presented by the Minister of Justice, instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare draft legislation to amend the Constitution and the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978.
The government emphasized that all changes will be implemented while safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. (Newswire)