The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Bhutan comprises of the Chief Justice and four associate Justices. The Chief Justice is appointed from among the Drangpons of the Supreme Court or from among eminent jurists by the Druk Gyalpo in consultation with the National Judicial Commission. The term of office of the Chief Justice of Bhutan is five years or until attaining the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. The associate Justices are appointed from among the Drangpons of the High Court or from among eminent jurists by the Druk Gyalpo in consultation with the National Judicial Commission. The associates Justices will serve for ten years or until attaining the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.
In the absence of the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Commission as required under Section 17 Article 21 of the Constitution could not be instituted. His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo devised a special method to initiate the process to establish the first Supreme Court through the Royal Decree issued to the Nation on the 3rd Day of the 10th Month of the Female Earth Ox Year of the Bhutanese calendar corresponding to 19th November 2009 constituting the Royal Commission entrusted with the sacred responsibility of nominating a candidate for the post of Chief Justice of Bhutan and Justices of the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the Chief Justice and three associate Justices were administered the oath of office and secrecy on 21st February 2010 establishing the first Supreme Court of Bhutan, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s thirtieth birth anniversary. At present, the Supreme Court of Bhutan is temporarily housed in the Kuengachholing State Guest House.
The Hon'ble Chief Justice
of Bhutan
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye
The Hon'ble Justices of the Supreme Court
Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen
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Drangpon Tshering Wangchuk
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Drangpon Rinzin Penjor
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The High Court
Appointment of Drangpons of the Dzongkhags dates back to 1960. After the establishment of the High Court on 3rd November 1967, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck promulgated Kadyon (Royal Edict) Nga in 1976, which provided for the appointment of the Judges (Drangpons). The first Chief Justice of Bhutan was appointed in 1985.
The High Court of Bhutan, which comprises of a Chief Justice and eight Drangpons, is the court of appeal from the Dzongkhag Courts and Tribunals in all matters and exercises original jurisdiction in matters not within the jurisdiction of the Dzongkhag Courts and Tribunals and is the court of first instance for constitutional cases.
The High Court for administrative purposes consists of different Benches including larger Benches constituted by the Chief Justice of the High Court as required in the interest of Justice. Each Bench comprises of a minimum of two Justicesand maximum of three Justices to hear appeals from the subordinate Courts. The parties may proffer an appeal from the decisions rendered by the bench, which shall be heard by a larger bench constituted and presided over by the Chief Justice of the High Court consisting of a minimum of three Justices.
The Acting Chief Justice and four associate Justices were administered the oath of office and secrecy on 21st May 2010.
The Hon'ble Justices of the High Court
Acting Chief Justice of High Court
Drangpon Lungten Dubgyur |
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Drangpon Norbu Tshering |
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Drangpon Tshering Namgyel |
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Drangpon Tashi Chhozom |
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The Dzongkhag Court
Bhutan is geographically divided into twenty Dzongkhags or districts. Each Dzongkhag has a Dzongkhag Court. A Dzongkhag Court is made up of one Bench, though there are few Dzongkhag Courts that have more Benches. The Dzongkhag Court is presided over by a Dzongkhag Drangpon. Every Dzongkhag Drangpon is assisted by one or more Drangpon Rabjam(s) or registrar(s). The Dzongkhag Court has original jurisdiction in all cases where venue exists in its territorial jurisdiction and where original jurisdiction of the High Court does not apply. It also has an appellate jurisdiction over the cases or orders rendered by a Dungkhag Court.
The Dungkhag Court
The Dungkhag or Sub-District Court is the lowest formal court in Bhutan. The first Dungkhag Court was established in 1978. They exercise original jurisdiction in all cases where venue exists in its territorial jurisdiction and where the original jurisdiction of the High Court and Dzongkhag Court does not apply. The Dungkhag Court is presided over by a Dungkhag Drangpon.
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