By DMLF
The FDRE House of Peoples Representative on March 12, 2024 appointed 16 judges for judgeship at the Federal Supreme Court. The Constitutional procedure for appointment of Federal Judges is that the Federal Judicial Administration Council shall select candidates. Then the Prime Minister shall submit these candidates to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for appointment. Accordingly, 3 women and 13 men were appointed Federal Supreme Court Judges. The Federal Supreme Court has first instance jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction and power of cassation, as per Federal Courts Proclamation No 1234/2021.
The FDRE Constitution on Article 79 Sub-article 3 guarantees that judges shall exercise their functions in full independence. Judges are expected to be directed solely by the law.
No judge shall be removed from their duties before the judge reaches the retirement age determined by law. The current Public Servants’ Pension Proclamation No 1267/2022 specifies 60 years, as the retirement age of a public servant, that includes judges as well. The FDRE Constitution states that such a retirement age that is determined by law cannot be extended for a judge.
However, there are exceptions whereby a judge is removed from office prior to retirement age. These include where the Judicial Administration Council decides to remove the judge for violations of disciplinary rules or on the ground of gross incompetence or inefficiency; or where a judge can no longer carry out his/her responsibilities on account of illness. Such assessment and decision of the Judicial Administration Council has to be approved by the majority vote of the House of Peoples Representative.
