Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has advertised vacancies in the Office of the Judge of the Court of Appeal, Judge of the High Court and Judge of the Environment and Land Court.
In a Gazette Notice dated June 4, Koome announced 45 vacancies: 15 for the position of Judge of the Court of Appeal, 20 for the Judge of the High Court and 10 for the Judge of the Environment and Land Court.
Koome said the Court of Appeal judges have a retirement age of seventy years, with the option for early retirement after attaining the age of sixty-five years.
Based on guidelines by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission of Kenya (SRC), gross monthly remuneration package excluding benefits is a minimum of Ksh775,845 and a maximum of Ksh1,187,152
A Judge of the Court of Appeal shall serve in the Court of Appeal of Kenya.
They will hear appeals from the High Court and those from any other court or Tribunal as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
Koome Lists Requirements for Appointment
For appointment to the position of Judge of the Court of Appeal, the applicant must possess the following minimum qualifications set out in Article 166 (2) (a), (b) and (c) as read with Sub Article (4) (4) (b) and (c) of the Constitution as follows
(a)Hold a law degree from a recognized university, or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possexs equivalent qualification in a Common-law jurisdiction:
(b) Have at least ten years of experience as a superior court judge,
(c) Have at least ten years’ experience as a distinguished academic, or legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field.
(d) Have held the qualifications specified in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b) above for a period amounting, in the aggregate, to ten (10) years.
They must have a high moral character, integrity and impartiality (meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity).
In addition, the applicants should demonstrate a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, good judgment, wide breath of both legal and life experience and demonstrable commitment to public and community service.
Judge of the High Court
The tenure of service is similar to that of Court of Appeal judges.
Their gross monthly remuneration package pack excluding benefits is a minimum of Ksh750,000 and a maximum of Ksh1,029,691
A Judge of the High Court shall serve in the High Court of Kenya.
The function and jurisdiction of the Court provided for under Article 165 (3) and (7) include.
(a) Unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters.
(b) Jurisdiction to determine the question whether right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied. violated, infringed or threatened.
(c) Jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a decision of a tribunal appointed under this Constitution to consider the removal of a person from office, other than a tribunal appointed under Article 144.
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(d) Jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of this Constitution, including the determination of
(i) The question whether any law is inconsistent with or in contravention of this Constitution;
(ii) The question whether anything said to be done under the authority of this Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of, this Constitution:
(iii) Any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government, and
(iv) A question relating to conflict of laws under Article 191; and
The High Court has supervisory jurisdiction over the subordinate courts and over any person, body authority exercising a judicial or quasi-judicial function, but not over a superior court.
The constitutional and statutory requirements for appointment are similar to those of a Judge of the Court of Appeal.
Judge of the Environment and Land Court
The gross monthly remuneration package excluding benefits is a minimum of Ksh750,000 and a maximum of Ksh1,029,691
They have the original and appellate jurisdiction to hear and determine all disputes relating to the environment and the use and occupation of land.
Judges will hear and determine disputes relating to:
(1) Environmental planning and protection, climate issues, land use planning, title, tenure, boundaries, rates, rents. valuations, mining, minerals and other natural resources.
(ii) Compulsory acquisition of land administration and management.
(iv) Public. private and community land and contracts, choses in action or other instruments granting any enforceable interest in land.
The judges hear and determine applications for redress of a denial. violation or infringement of, or threat to rights or fundamental freedom relating to a clean and healthy environment under Articles 42.69 and 70 of the Constitution
They exercise appellate jurisdiction over the decisions of subordinate courts or local tribunals respect of matters falling within the jurisdiction of the court.
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Requirements for Appointment
For appointment to the position of Judge of the High Court, the applicant must hold a law degree from a recognized university or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possess an equivalent qualification in a Common-law jurisdiction.
They must have at least ten years of experience judge or a professionally qualified magistrate: superior court.
Interested judges must also have at least ten years of experience as a distinguished academic, or legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field.
How to Apply
The appointments shall be made in accordance with Article 166 (1) (b) as read with Article 162 (2) (b) and (3) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and section 30 and the First Schedule of the Judicial Service Act, 2011 and section 7 of the Environment and Land Court Act.
Interested and qualified persons are invited to visit the Commission’s jobs portal https://jsc.go.ke/jobs-2/, for instructions on how to apply.
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