Latest news with #ChiefJustice
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as Malaysia's 17th Chief Justice in ceremony at Istana Negara
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today presented the instrument of appointment as Chief Justice to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh at Istana Negara here. Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, also took the oath of office and loyalty during the ceremony, which was held at the Small Throne Room of the palace. Wan Ahmad Farid, hitherto a Court of Appeal judge, was also presented with the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. His Majesty also presented instruments of appointment to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as the President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, followed by the appointment of eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges. Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. The appointment was made in line with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with His Majesty's consent on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Abu Bakar, 63, meanwhile, is filling the vacancy of President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3, while Azizah, 63, replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who retired on July 24. Wan Ahmad Farid, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986, began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, serving from 1987 to 2003. Beyond his legal career, Wan Ahmad Farid has been active in public administration and politics, having served as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before being appointed Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur before being appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu from 2015 to 2019. He was then elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3). — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sultan Ibrahim appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as Malaysia's 17th Chief Justice in ceremony at Istana Negara
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today presented the instrument of appointment as Chief Justice to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh at Istana Negara here. Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, also took the oath of office and loyalty during the ceremony, which was held at the Small Throne Room of the palace. Wan Ahmad Farid, hitherto a Court of Appeal judge, was also presented with the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. His Majesty also presented instruments of appointment to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as the President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, followed by the appointment of eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges. Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. The appointment was made in line with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with His Majesty's consent on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Abu Bakar, 63, meanwhile, is filling the vacancy of President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3, while Azizah, 63, replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who retired on July 24. Wan Ahmad Farid, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986, began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, serving from 1987 to 2003. Beyond his legal career, Wan Ahmad Farid has been active in public administration and politics, having served as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before being appointed Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur before being appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu from 2015 to 2019. He was then elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3). — Bernama
Arabian Business
23-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
DIFC Courts claims rise 38% in first half of 2025 as Dubai legal hub strengthens
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts recorded 650 claims across all divisions from January to June 2025, representing a 38 per cent increase compared to 470 claims during the same period in 2024. The total claim value reached AED 13.2 million on average, with the Court of First Instance and its divisions handling 61 claims worth AED 117.7 million each and totalling AED 6.7 billion. Wayne Martin, Chief Justice, DIFC Courts, said: 'The first half of 2025 reflects a sustained pattern of growth, particularly in opt-in matters and higher-value claims. These developments reinforce the DIFC Courts' position as a trusted forum for resolving complex commercial disputes, supported by experienced judges, and international enforceability. The new DIFC Courts Law, introduced in early 2025, represents a forward-looking step by the Government of Dubai allowing the DIFC Courts to further streamline procedures and enhance judicial practice, reinforcing our position as a premier forum for dispute resolution well into the future.' Surge in claims across divisions The Civil & Commercial Division experienced 85 per cent growth year-on-year, rising from 33 to 61 claims with a combined value of AED 2.3 billion. Each claim averaged AED 51.3 million. The Arbitration Division registered 23 claims, marking a 92 per cent increase from the previous year. These cases carried a total value of AED 4.5 billion, with an average claim value of AED 342.6 million. The Small Claims Tribunal processed 458 claims, a 73 per cent rise year-on-year, representing AED 43.2 million in total value and averaging AED 95,000 per claim. Enforcement cases decreased, handling 106 claims worth AED 4.5 million in total, with an average value of AED 1.5 million per case. Parties outside the DIFC jurisdiction increasingly choose the courts through contractual agreements. The Court of First Instance saw 38 per cent of claims through opt-in arrangements, whilst the Small Claims Tribunal recorded 39 per cent and the Arbitration Division 18 per cent. Claims covered banking and finance, retail, manufacturing, cryptocurrency, and real estate sectors. Cases ranged from cross-border disputes to employment contract matters. New law streamlines DIFC legal processes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 in March. The legislation formalises the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction over civil, commercial, and labour claims whilst consolidating Dubai Law No. 10 of 2004 and DIFC Law No. 12 of 2004 into one statute. The law clarifies jurisdiction over civil, commercial, employment matters, non-Muslim wills, trusts, and enforcement of arbitral awards. It introduces provisions for employment claims, interim measures, and mediation dispute resolution. The DIFC Courts Wills Service registered 922 wills during the first six months of 2025, a 14 per cent increase from 2024. The service issued 27 Probate Orders and has registered over 13,400 wills since inception. The Pro Bono Programme assisted 524 individuals with support from 39 volunteer firms and 51 volunteer lawyers. Launched in 2009 as the first programme of its kind in the Middle East, it provides legal access for those with financial constraints. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director, DIFC Courts, added: 'This period has seen continued uptake across all our services, from civil and commercial claims to ancillary services. The consistent increase in users choosing to bring their disputes to the DIFC Courts is a strong reflection of the value placed on our legal framework by businesses and individuals alike. Serving as the region's leading common law commercial court for over 20 years, our continued growth is a testament to our mission to adapt, innovate, and expand access to justice through our core and ancillary court service offerings to the public.' The DIFC Courts publish quarterly statistical updates on their website to maintain transparency. The complete H1 2025 report is available at
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Simplified: How judges are selected in Malaysia vs UK, Australia, Singapore, India
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Amid recent controversy over the selection of new top-ranking judges in Malaysia, the government has launched a new study to compare how judges are appointed in the UK, Australia, India, and Singapore. Here's a simplified comparison of how judges are selected and appointed in these five Commonwealth countries, some of which have an independent body called a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). Malaysia (Has JAC) Malaysia has a nine-member JAC chaired by the Chief Justice, with the other members being the other top three judges, and five members appointed by the prime minister (a Federal Court judge and four eminent persons). There is a two-step process now, namely selection and then appointment: Step 1: The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) filters and selects candidates based on merit, then recommends names to the prime minister. (Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009). Note: Under the JAC Act, the PM can ask the JAC for two alternative names (for vacancies for the top four judges, Federal Court and Court of Appeal). Under the same law, the PM does not need to give any reason for rejecting the names, and there is no limit on how many times the PM can ask for other names. Step 2: After accepting JAC's recommendations, the prime minister submits the names to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Agong then appoints judges based on the prime minister's advice and after consulting the Conference of Rulers (Federal Constitution's Article 122B). The JAC, introduced in 2009, is a step forward for Malaysia as there are now written criteria and written procedures for a person to be selected as judge. The JAC also sends candidates' names for background checks by five agencies: the police, the anti-corruption body, the companies commission, the insolvency department, and the tax authority. The JAC, introduced in 2009, is a step forward for Malaysia as there are now written criteria and written procedures for a person to be selected as judge. — Picture by Raymond Manuel UK (Has JACs) After the UK's constitutional reforms in 2005, there are now three bodies involved in selecting and recommending potential judges (the JAC for England and Wales; Northern Ireland's JAC and the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland). Looking specifically at England and Wales, the 15-member JAC is chaired by a layperson, with six judicial members, two professional members, five laypersons, and one non-legally qualified judicial member. The JAC's role is to select candidates on merit, having good character, and to encourage diversity in the range of available candidates. The JAC has a detailed list of items that a candidate has to declare when applying to be a judge (such as criminal convictions, traffic offences, being bankrupt, tax issues) to assess if they are of 'good character', and will also carry out character checks with professional regulatory bodies and the authorities such as for insolvency and tax. The JAC selects judges up to the High Court level, while the JAC would also be part of independent selection panels to select higher-ranking judges or judges at the higher courts. Generally, the Lord Chancellor (who is a Cabinet minister) may accept the JAC's recommendations, and has limited powers to reject or ask for reconsideration of recommended candidates. Generally, the King will appoint judges on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, based on the recommendation by the JAC or an independent selection panel. For certain positions such as Supreme Court judges, the Lord Chancellor's recommendation — based on the panel's recommendation — would go to the prime minister, and the prime minister would advise the King on the appointment. Australia (No JAC) Under Australia's Constitution, the Governor-General 'in Council' appoints judges. (The Governor-General is the head of state, a role that is played by the Agong in Malaysia and the King in the UK.) This means that the Governor-General appoints judges on the advice of the prime minister and Cabinet. The Attorney-General (who is part of Cabinet) makes recommendations to the Australian government on who should be appointed as judges. For the appointment of High Court judges, the federal Attorney-General is required by law to consult with the attorney-general of the states in Australia. The Attorney-General's website states that the Australian government's process for appointing judges 'may include' advertising, consulting with the legal professional community to request nominations, and getting advisory panels to assess candidates and give recommendations to the Attorney-General. The website also lists the personal and professional qualities that a judge should have, including outstanding legal expertise; excellent written communication skills; temperament, integrity, impartiality, tact and courtesy. Singapore (No JAC) Under Singapore's constitution, the President appoints judges on the prime minister's advice, if he agrees with the prime minister's advice. Before giving his advice to the President, Singapore's prime minister 'must consult' the Chief Justice on appointments of judges (except for the appointment of the Chief Justice). India (Had JAC for a few months) After amending its Constitution and creating a new law in 2014, India introduced the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) — which had the duty of recommending individuals 'of ability and integrity' for the President to appoint as judges. The NJAC was meant to be a six-member panel, chaired by the Chief Justice of India, two senior Supreme Court judges, the minister in charge of law and justice, two eminent persons. (A three-member committee comprising the CJ, the prime minister, the Opposition Leader would nominate the NJAC's two eminent persons, with one of the eminent persons required to be a woman or from a minority or marginalised group.) But just months after the constitutional amendment and the NJAC Act came into effect in April 2015, India's highest court, the Supreme Court, in October 2015 struck down both laws as unconstitutional. India then returned to using its existing 'collegium' system, which is where a group of senior judges select and recommend candidates for the President to appoint. For example, to appoint new Supreme Court judges, there would be a collegium of five judges (the Chief Justice and the four most senior Supreme Court judges), who would give their recommended names via the Chief Justice to India's government. The Chief Justice would give the recommendation to the law minister, who would then forward the recommendation to the prime minister to advise the President on the appointment of the new judges. To JAC or not? Like Malaysia, the four other countries we are looking at are members of the 56-member Commonwealth. In the UK-based Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law's 2015 report on the best practices for appointing judges in the Commonwealth, it was found that it is now 'uncommon' for only the executive branch of government to be responsible for appointing judges. At that time, the report found that 18.7 per cent (nine out of 48 independent Commonwealth jurisdictions such as Australia and Singapore) was where the executive was solely responsible for judicial appointments, while 81.3 per cent (39 out of 48 such as India, Malaysia, UK) had a JAC. This figure will now be 38 out of 48 as India has scrapped its JAC, but the 2015 report had noted that a number of countries, which established JACs in relatively quick succession (including the UK, the Maldives, Pakistan and Malaysia) after 2003 showed a 'clear trend' favouring JACs. Recommended reading:
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Anwar denies last-minute switch in CJ pick, says vilified for one week just because process was still ongoing
PUTRAJAYA, July 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly denied claims of a last-minute change in the proposed candidate for Chief Justice. He said today that the appointment had already been submitted and approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier in accordance with the Federal Constitution. 'They said the [judicial] system was compromised. There were those who wanted to politicise the issue,' he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department as quoted by New Straits Times. 'For a week, we were criticised, with claims that the prime minister did not respond. How could I respond at that time when the [judicial appointment] process was still ongoing?' He explained that under Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, the appointment of the Chief Justice requires the prime minister's recommendation and the King's consent after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Court of Appeal Judge Wan Ahmad Farid will be sworn in as the country's 17th Chief Justice on July 28, succeeding Tengku Maimun, who retired on July 2. Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the new president of the Court of Appeal, while Datuk Azizah Nawawi has been appointed Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Anwar said earlier this week that 8 newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28, with no judges removed. The appointments came following a purported leak from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, which came hot on the heels of allegations that there had been attempts to influence the appointments of new judges. The claim later prompted nine government backbenchers to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, with Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirming an investigation into the matter.
