Govt not to fix 1-yr tenure for HC chief justices

After long-drawn deliberations, the government has decided against recommending a one-year fixed tenure for chief justices of the high courts amid concerns that judges nearing retirement age may fail to land the job despite seniority and an impressive track record.

While drafting the revised memorandum of procedure, a document which guides appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the high courts, the Department of Justice had proposed a two-year fixed term for HC chief justices.

A fixed long tenure, the department felt, would help chief justices concentrate on the administrative side of their duties like improving case management system. But the fixed tenure was reduced to one year by the Law Ministry which thought two years was too long and hence not practical.

Judges are appointed as Chief Justices of high courts and elevated to the SC based mainly on seniority.