Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance issued, judiciary now independent

The Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025 has been issued to ensure full independence of the judiciary, formally separating it from the executive.

The ordinance was published on Sunday, November 30 on the President’s instruction by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Earlier, on November 20, the interim government’s advisory council granted final approval to the draft of the ordinance establishing a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court.

To institutionalise the separation of the judiciary, the Chief Justice initiated the proposal, which was sent from the Supreme Court on October 27, 2024 to the Ministry of Law. The proposal included a draft ordinance, an organogram for the new secretariat, and recommended reforms to the Rules of Business and Allocation of Business, all intended to fulfil the objectives of Article 109 of the Constitution regarding the High Court’s supervision of subordinate courts and tribunals.

The issuance of the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025 marks the realisation of the long-held goal of establishing an independent secretariat for the judiciary.