Royal decree clarifies jurist council’s work, management
KING Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree on June 24 clarifying the function of the Council of Jurists, the legal review body within the Council of Ministers.
The decree clarifies the role of the Council of Jurists – to make sure draft laws don’t contradict other laws on the books and the language is understandable and written in a legally sound manner.
The council has long been criticised for not carrying out its duties effectively. Government spokesman Phay Siphan told The Post on Monday that the royal decree was aimed at managing the council’s work clearly and lawfully.
The decree states: “At least t wo reg ular meetings a year [are to be convened]. The council has t he right to invite representatives of relevant ministries and professiona l of ficia ls to join t he consultative meetings and cla rif y any issues related to the framework of the ministries. It can a lso require t he ministries and institut ions to prov ide data and information in connection with the establishment of the law and lega l sta ndard letters.
“The Council of Jurists shall send representatives to join the plenary of the Council of Ministers and use the seal of the Council of Ministers for day-to-day work.”
Siphan said the Council of Jurists has long suffered from having no indication of how it should function and operate.
“We (the Council of Jurists) have been working from the beginning, but this time we are working according to the law that has been written,” he said.
The body’s role includes communicating with national and international organisations for cooperation in response to the national assembly and preparing legislation for the Prime Minister to sign for approval from the King, Siphan said.