The three justices of the Supreme Court are the former Zhung Kalyon Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General, Rinzin Penjore. Their names were announced today.

Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen served as the Zhung Kalyon prior to his present appointment. He was one of the members of the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, worked as a high court judge before his appointment.

The third justice, Rinzin Penjore, served as the Attorney General.

The fourth justice will be appointed from amongst the high court justices.

Now, a National Judicial Commission will be formed to recommend justices for the High Court.

The term for the Chief Justice is five years or until the age of 65 whichever is earlier. For the Justices of the Supreme Court, the term limit is 10 years or until the age of 65 whichever is earlier.

The Supreme Court will be highest appellate authority to entertain appeals against judgements, orders or decisions of the high court in all matters. It shall also have the power to review its judgements and orders.  Source: BBS

From Kuenselonline

Dasho Rnzin Gyaltshen, High Court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk and Attorney General Rinzin Penjore

Supreme Court Update 21 February, 2010 – The royal commission made public the identities of three of four individuals it has nominated to be justices of the supreme court (SC), today. Former Zhung Kalyon, Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen, 60, high court Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk, 46, and attorney general Rinzin Penjore, 46, are the nominations.

The identity of a fourth justice is yet to be annouced. “The fourth justice shall be appointed upon elevation from among the justices of the high court, in keeping with the provisions of the constitution,” said a royal commission press release. “The high court will be established as soon as the national judicial commission is formed.”

The establishment of the SC will allow for the national judicial commission to be formed. It will compromise the chief justice of Bhutan as chairperson, the senior most SC judge, the chairperson of the legislative committee and the attorney general. The national judicial commission will recommend justices of the high court.

According to the press release, the royal commission’s principal priority in forming the SC is adhering to the constitution’s provisions. Primary objectives included the need to combine legal professional expertise with proven service and experience at the highest level of government, and to ensure that senior legal professionals are available for appointment to the high court. The high court is today operating with one only judge.

The term limit of a SC justice is 10 years or age 65, whichever is earlier, while the term for the chief justice is five years or age 65 as well.

The royal commission was established by His Majesty in November last year to establish the first SC in Bhutan. Former chief justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye is the first SC chief justice. The chief justice designate, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye has been chairing the seven-member royal commission to nominate candidates as SC judges. Source: Kuenselonline