Legal amendment appoints dedicated judge as Supreme Court head [Archives:2006/915/Local News]

SANA'A, Jan.25 – Yemen's cabinet approved amending Article 104 of 1999's Law 11 of the Judiciary and formation of the Supreme Court. The amendment comes amid judiciary reforms to change judiciary leadership.

A judge will be dedicated from among the judiciary and be at least a high court member, possessing judiciary experience and administrative skills.

The cabinet transferred the law to Parliament to complete constitutional procedures.

Supreme Court member, Judge Mahmoud Al-Hitar, said the judiciary law amendment will pave the way to appoint a dedicated judge, fulfilling Articles 149 and 152, as well as the president's September 25, 1999 electoral commitments. He believes the amendment meets 1996 judiciary forum demands for a judiciary reform project and will secure judiciary's administrative and financial independence.

He hopes the amendment will be referred to Parliament as quickly as possible. This amendment relates to judiciary law. A package of laws will be referred to Parliament within the next two months.

The post of Supreme judiciary head formerly was occupied by the president, a matter widely criticized and considered interference in judiciary affairs.
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