Latest news with #JudicialAppointment
CNN
22-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Judges vote to not keep Habba as interim US attorney of New Jersey
Federal judges in the district of New Jersey declined to extend Alina Habba's appointment as interim US attorney on Tuesday, according to an order from the court. 'Pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 546(d), the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey appoints Desiree Leigh Grace as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. This appointment is effective July 22, 2025, or 'upon the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General' of the Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, whichever is later,' the order signed by Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb said. President Donald Trump appointed Habba to the position on March 24. Interim US attorneys are only allowed to serve for 120 days if they are not confirmed by the US Senate or extended indefinitely by the district court in their jurisdiction. Habba previously served as a spokesperson for the Trump campaign and as a personal attorney for Trump. She represented Trump during his civil fraud trial in 2023 and 2024. After Trump won reelection, Habba served as counselor to the president before Trump tapped her to serve as US attorney. The president formally nominated Habba to serve in the position for a four-year term on July 1. Habba's nomination is still awaiting a vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee before she would advance to the full Senate for a floor confirmation vote. It is unclear if Habba will continue to serve in the role as an acting US attorney or if the administration will appoint another US attorney while Habba awaits confirmation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche put out a statement on X on Monday urging the federal judges in New Jersey to appoint Habba indefinitely on an interim basis while she awaits Senate confirmation, saying she has the 'full confidence' of leadership at the Justice Department. 'In light of the smear campaign, it's worth repeating @USAttyHabba has the full confidence of DOJ leadership because she's doing the job – aggressively, independently, and by the book. The district judges should not be swayed by political noise. Keep her in place,' Blanche said in a post on X on Monday. Habba is President Trump's second US attorney nominee to struggle to receive support from the district court or the Senate Judiciary Committee. In May, the Senate Judiciary Committee decided not to confirm Trump's controversial pick to lead the DC US attorney's office, Ed Martin. It is rare to have multiple candidates fail to receive support from the district court or the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Court of Appeal judge Wan Ahmad Farid named Malaysia's 17th Chief Justice, swearing in set for July 28
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — On July 28, Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh will be sworn in as the country's 17th Chief Justice, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. This followed an announcement by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court in a statement released late yesterday. Hailing from Kuala Terengganu, the 62-year-old jurist was appointed to the Court of Appeal on Nov 12 last year. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London, earned in 1985, and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986. He 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. He 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. Wan Ahmad Farid began his judicial career in 2015 as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Bharu until 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). In 2024, he played a key role in a landmark ruling involving a constitutional suit filed by lawyer Dr Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar Al Mahdzar, which challenged the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in declaring a state of emergency. In his judgment, Wan Ahmad Farid held that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's authority to declare an emergency under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution is a prerogative power that is non-justiciable and beyond the court's review. Wan Ahmad Farid was also among the members of the panel of judges who heard a case involving a dispute over 263.272 acres of land dubbed 'Duta Enclave' involving Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd in the Federal Court. — Bernama
The Star
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Judicial picks expected today
PUTRAJAYA: An announcement regarding judicial appointments is expected today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He acknowledged delays and public unease over certain appointments but assured them all processes have been carried out fairly and transparently. Anwar said he had a lengthy discussion with the Conference of Rulers yesterday morning. 'I think let them decide and tomorrow (today), hopefully, there will be an announcement that will clearly dispel the so-called negative perceptions,' he said in his speech at Malaysia's International Conference on Integrity and Governance here yesterday. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that the government fully upholds judicial independence and has not interfered in any court proceedings or decisions during his tenure. 'I rest my case, and I hope when the announcement is made, it will prove this government is committed to reform, including the principle of judicial independence,' he said, as reported by Bernama. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said noted that the government will review the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Act 2009 amid public confusion over the recent Chief Justice appointment process. She said a special committee will be set up, comprising members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, as well as constitutional experts, legal practitioners and academics. 'We have to improve because what is happening now is that there is a lot of confusion. (There's) no clarity from the public perspective. But then this particular JAC, which was passed and established in 2009, is responsible for the appointment of five Chief Justices. It has never been an issue. 'Sadly, now there is an issue, so we have to study it. Where did the non-clarity or confusion come in? Is it the processes, or is it the wording of the Act?' she said to reporters after attending the International Conference on Integrity and Governance here yesterday. She said the government had announced the implementation of a Comparative Study of the Judicial Appointment System by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department last week, as part of efforts to enhance transparency in the appointment procedure of superior court judges She said the study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the JAC's role and to also address issues raised by the Malaysian Bar. 'The government is always open to the views of all parties, including the Malaysian Bar, who will also be invited to join in this study, to ensure a more transparent, integrity-based and trusted judicial appointment system for the people. 'In addition, issues raised by the Malaysian Bar should be considered within the framework of the Federal Constitution, the Judicial Appointments Commission Act and other laws in force,' she said in a statement. On Monday, Azalina clarified that the JAC does not have binding authority in judicial appointments. She explained the JAC's primary role is to screen, assess and recommend candidates to the Prime Minister, while appointments to the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court must ultimately comply with Article 122B of the Federal Constitution.
LBCI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Cabinet appoints Maher Shaaito as Lebanon's new Financial Prosecutor
The Lebanese Cabinet has appointed Judge Maher Mohammad Shaaito as the country's new Financial Public Prosecutor. Born in 1973 in Deyrintar, a town in the southern district of Bint Jbeil, Shaaito is married to Mona Mahdi and is the father of two sons, Wissam and Ibrahim. He has a brother and sister living abroad. Shaaito studied law at the Lebanese University–Branch I, graduating in 1993 with the second-highest rank in his class. He joined the Judicial Institute in 1994 and graduated in 1997. In the same year, he was appointed as a sole judge in the Deir El Qamar court and later that year as a criminal judge in Beirut. In 2003, Shaaito became a public prosecutor in Mount Lebanon. He was named president of the Beirut Indictment Chamber in 2017. From 2018 to 2021, he also served as a member of the Higher Judicial Council.
Malay Mail
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Federal Court judge Zabariah Mohd Yusof steps in as acting Court of Appeal president
PUTRAJAYA, July 4 — Federal Court Judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof will assume the powers and responsibilities of the Court of Appeal president following Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim's retirement yesterday. In a letter dated yesterday, Chief Justice of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, who is assuming the powers and duties of the Chief Justice, said Zabariah's appointment, effective yesterday, is made under Section 9 (3) (a) of the Court of Judicature Act 1964. According to the letter, she is to exercise the powers and duties of the Court of Appeal president until the position is permanently filled. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, Federal Court Chief Registrar Datuk Zamri Bakar and Court of Appeal Registrar Jumirah Marjuki. Zabariah was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner and later served at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on January 5, 2009. She was confirmed as a High Court judge on August 9, 2010, and on Jan 2, 2013, was assigned to the Seremban High Court. In 2016, she returned to serve as a High Court judge at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. Zabariah was appointed as a Court of Appeal Judge on March 21, 2016, and as a Federal Court judge on Dec 5, 2019. She turned 66 last April 10, but was given a six-month extension. In March, Zabariah was appointed as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). The President of the Court of Appeal of Malaysia is the second-highest position in the Malaysian judiciary after the Chief Justice. — Bernama
