Govt won’t submit another bill on autonomy of judiciary

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 19: At a time everyone is waiting for the Constitutional Court to announce its verdict on the petition regarding the constitutionality of law number 24/2012 on the establishment of the Public Anti-Corruption Authority, Chairman of the parliamentary Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee MP Mubarak Al-Harees disclosed the panel is still waiting for the government’s new proposal – the outcome of an agreement between the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Judiciary Council.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yacoub Al-Sane said the government will not present a new draft law on the autonomy of the judiciary as the draft law submitted to the Parliament in the previous term is enough.

He confirmed referral of the draft law to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, indicating the ministry is ready to attend the committee’s meeting anytime it is invited to finalize discussions in this regard. He explained the withdrawal of the current draft law and submission of another will only prolong the process, stressing the autonomy of the judiciary is one of the important draft laws.

In the same context, sources revealed the previous meetings between Al-Sane

and the Supreme Judiciary Council settled many disagreements so the road towards approval of the draft law is clear now.

Moreover, MP Abdulrahman Al-Jeran emphasized the need to reform the judiciary, asserting this is more important than its autonomy. He also stressed the significance of stabilizing the mechanism for forming the council.

He added the decision to grant autonomy to the judiciary may lead to the abolition of the Justice Ministry, since this step minimizes the role of the ministry. He wondered who will inquire about any irregularity in the budget of the judiciary if it becomes independent and who will decide on conflicts which may arise in relation to contracts signed by the Supreme Judiciary Council.