JLSC appoints judges

JUDGES are appointed by the Judicial Legal Services Commission (JLSC) and are required to give a report of their performances to Parliament, acting Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven says.
Steven told Parliament that JLSC dealt with complaints about judges and the leadership code of conduct applied to them.
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird wanted to know who appointed judges and held them responsible.
“Judges are obligated to prepare a report on the cases they hear, they adjourn and the number registered before them and how they are dealt with and issues pertaining to administration of justice,” Steven said.
“There is also a code of conduct accepted by the JLSC that governs the conduct of judges.
“The JLSC has received complaints about the conduct of judges in the past and dealt with them.
“At present, we are dealing with complaints of certain judges that have been formally registered at the JLSC level.”
Steven said there was accountability.
He said the constitution also made the conduct of judges and all leaders of the three arms of government subject to the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission.
“The leadership code applies also to the judges,” Steven said.
“It is the intention of this government to ensure that these systems and processes are respected and that we encourage them and enhance them and create integrity.
“According to our constitution, the power, the authority and the jurisdiction that government exercises belong to the people.
“This government is going to put in place a legislative programme which instructs Constitutional and Law Reform Commission to enquire about some of these important issues and matters affecting us.”