MLS seeks to enhance judicial accountability
Malawi Law Society (MLS) has constituted a 14-member advisory team to help with timely enactment of the Judicial Service Commission Bill to enhance independence, efficiency and accountability of the country’s judiciary.
MLS chairperson Patrick Mpaka said in a statement dated May 29 2023 the society’s decision follows an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) conducted online on May 22 2023.
He said MLS convened the EGM to, among others, consider the proposed process for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice and to update the members on the matter.
“Upon deliberation, the extraordinary general meeting observed that the remaining lasting effort and contribution that the society can make to enhance the independence, efficiency and accountability of the Malawi Judiciary is the timely enactment of a Judicial Service Commission Act,” reads the statement.
Mpaka said this would articulate the scope of sections 12, 116, 117 and 118 of the Constitution and clearly provide for regulation of judicial officers, their appointment, removal, disciplinary processes, among others, in accordance with “more professional, transparency and accountability practices and standards within the Commonwealth”.
The advisory board is tasked to come up with short, medium and long- term strategies that will see the enactment of the law before this year ends.
Based on their expertise, the advisory team is constituted to work with the society’s executive committee to develop short, medium and long-term strategies that will see the enactment of the law.
According to the statement, the society expects this to be done at the earliest opportunity in the remaining 2023 sittings of the National Assembly.
Among others, the advisory board has two seasoned legal practitioners and senior counsels (SC) Allan Chinula and Patrice Nkhono, Raphael Mhone, Timothy Chirwa and Alexious Kamangira.
