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 comprise 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.

Gyalsten K Dorji