Annual Report(KOL)
Date |
News from 1993-1994 |
Link |
1993/02/06 |
Judiciary clears all pending cases
|
|
1994/02/19 |
Judiciary report reflects new trends
|
|
Date |
News from 2002-2007 |
Link |
2002/02/01 |
8,804 court cases settled in 2002
|
|
2007/01/07 |
Appeal cases increase
|
|
2008/01/24 |
Appeal cases double in 2007
|
|
(Posted on 25/01/2008)
The 18th National Judicial Conference Resolutions
(30th April 2007 to 4th May 2007)
We, the Drangpons of the Kingdom of Bhutan, having gathered and deliberated during the 18th National Judicial Conference in Thimphu and believing in the common objectives of providing justice for all, pledge to secure and promote general well-being, strengthen sovereignty, security, unity, peace, harmony and happiness;
Affirming that the attainment of ultimate goal of a just society is possible only with the strengthening of the rule of law express our deep appreciation for the most gracious patronage of Their Majesties the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Fifth Druk Gyalpo;
Considering that with the introduction of democratic changes in the Kingdom, the judiciary of Bhutan will be the ultimate guardian of the rights and liberties of the people and that good governance is the fountainhead of emerging new social, economic, political and legal order;
Accepting that the duties of the courts are to deliver justice expeditiously pursuant to the procedural and substantive laws and that the access to justice to overcome unremitting ordeal of attendance, elaborate maze of procedure and inordinate delays;
Reiterating that the independence of the judiciary received the most unprecedented support from Their Majesties the Kings and the Legislature, the enactment of the Judicial Service Act guarantees the separation of powers both institutional and personal independence;
Reaffirming that legal and moral authority dictates the institutional and personal integrity, our commitment and compliance to the Code of Conduct as provided under the Judicial Service Act;
Realizing that the importance of the right atmosphere and adequate physical infrastructure is sine quo non for dispensation of justice, the construction of independent court buildings with traditional elegance and modern facilities manifest physical independence and reverence for justice;
Recognizing that the rapid progress in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) has caused radical shifts in the philosophical perspectives of law and its application, it must continue to help and guide the judiciary by maximizing the use of data storage and retrieval system, statistical, quantitative methodology for comprehensive analysis and qualitative results through comparative and general public knowledge;
Pledging that the Judiciary of Bhutan shall continue to ensure the rule of law flourish in quest of expeditious, efficient and inexpensive delivery of justice as public confidence is the basis of justice in the Kingdom;
DO HEREBY RESOLVE:-
-
To provide equal and unimpeded access to justice through reliable, fair and efficient justice system;
-
To strive and decide cases within 12 months from the date of filing;
-
To continue harnessing the use of ICT for addressing and further strengthening the rule of law, usher in transparency and accountability of the judicial process by posting the judgments in the judicial website;
-
To establish National Judicial Institute and improve the professional competence of the judges through continuing legal education;
-
To enhance the overall human resource capacity building of the judiciary through selection, recruitment and provision of pre-service and in-service legal education;
-
To inculcate moral and professional integrity of the judges for selection to the appellate courts through continued assessment and proven track records;
-
To effect and consolidate the independence of the judiciary to the lowest strata by making justice accessible and user-friendly through the establishment of independent new courts in all Dungkhags.
Royal Court of Justice
High Court
Thimphu
May 04, 2007
Press Release
Danish Supports training of Bench Clerks and Judges on Case Information System(CIS)
The IT division of the High Court in Thimphu has trained more than Eighty Bench Clerks of the Courts in the Kingdom over three weeks and concluded on 23rd March, 2007.
With the introduction of computerized case management system in the judiciary, up-gradation of the knowledge and skills of the bench clerks have become crucial to provide faster and effective judicial services to the people. The improvised case management system which was developed with the financial assistance from the Liaison Office of Denmark imbibes the user-friendly case information system. With specifically developed software for the Judiciary, our courts today are able to generate accurate information and reports which are made available in the Judicial website. The mechanized form of modern Technology System in the Judiciary further inhances judicial and public access to legal and judicial information ensuring judicial efficiency and accountability, access to justice, quality justice and judicial transparency. Almost all the courts have Local Area Network (LAN), which networks the judicial staff of the court and then link through Wide Area Network (WAN) of the judicial website in line with the IT Strategic Policy of the Judiciary. With the creation of the It division as part of the continuing judicial reforms manned by IT Officers enables to execute, develop, manages case flows, analyses case statistics, judicial database, case information, researches and update of the judicial website. They also digitally store case information of all the courts in Bhutan, which is intended to share information within the staff of the judiciary, lawyers and the general public.
The 18th National Judicial Conference among the judges of Bhutan commencing from 4th April, 2007 in Thimphu is expected to further streamline judicial reforms and the training of the judges in improvised case information system and the up-gradation of knowledge in the field of ICT.
_______________________________________________________________________
For the future generation to grow up as responsible and informed citizens, the Drangpons and Rabjams of the Dzongkhag and Dungkhag Courts are visiting schools and institutions to lecture the students on the basic laws. Special emphasis has been given to the provisions of the Penal Code dealing with youths.
Posted on 15th August 2005
Special
News Bulletin on High Court covered by the Kuensel
36 years ago
For
the fortnight ending 31st March 1969
I. The following Thrimpons were
appointed on 30th March, 1969
and awarded Red Scarves by His Majesty the King:
No. |
Name |
Place
of Posting |
1 |
Rigzin |
Shemgang |
2 |
kardo |
Bjakar Dzong |
3 |
Taula |
Lhuntse |
4 |
Penjor |
Rinpung Dzong |
5 |
Lhapchu |
Haa |
6 |
Bato Karpo |
Wangdi phodrang |
7 |
Namgyal Tshering |
Daga Dzong |
8 |
Councillor Sangey |
Trashigang |
9 |
Councillor Khichala
|
Mongar |
10 |
Councillor Durga Das
Lama |
Sarbang |
11 |
Kaka |
Sarbang |
12 |
Gyaltshenla |
Samchi |
13 |
Deo Kumar Gurung |
Samchi |
II. The following new Thrimpon
Ramjams were appointed on 30th March and awarded
Ramjam's Scarves by the Honourable Home Minister:
| No |
Name |
Place
of Posting |
1 |
Magmi Bunthangpa Sherab
Dorji |
Wangdiphodrang |
2 |
Royal Body Guard Thinley
Wangdi |
Paro |
3 |
Royal Body Guard Bipa
Dorji |
Haa |
4 |
Mangmi Kota |
Daga |
5 |
Royal Body Guard Tshewang
Tenzin |
Shemgang |
6 |
Royal Body Guard Tashi
Tenzin |
Phongme |
7 |
Lhadon Pemo |
Thimphu District Court
|
III. The following Rabjams were given new assignments
with effect from 30th March:
| No |
Name |
Place
of Posting |
1 |
Nyerchen Ramjam Nidup
Dorji of Mongar |
Mongar Thrimpon Ramjam
|
2 |
Mongar Thrimpon Ramjam
Sangey |
Lhuntse Thrimpon Ramjam
|
3 |
Tongsa Nyerchen Ramjam
Phuntsho |
Shemgang Thrimpon Ramjam
|
4 |
Punakha Nyerchen Ramjam
Pema Wangchhuk |
Deothang Ramjam |
5 |
Tashigang Ramjam Tanpey
|
Tashigang Thrimpon Ramjam
|
6 |
Ramjam Goley of Home
Ministry |
Tongsa Thrimpon Ramjam
|
Posted on 23rd June 2005
8th Chief Justices Conference
and 11th SAARCLAW Conference
A three-day Conference of the
Chief Justices and the SAARCLAW fraternity has
concluded on the 12th of June in Paro. The Chief
Justices Conference concluded with the Paro
Declaration, where they resolved to strengthen
the cooperation within the judiciaries of the
region. The Chief Justices of the SAARC region,
eminent Judges, Lawyers, academicians, government
personnel and law students attended the Conference.
Posted on 15th June 2005
Special
News Bulletin on High Court covered by the Kuensel
38 years ago
KUENSEL
Volume No. 5
For
the period from 15th October to 31st October
1967
ESTABLISHMENT
OF A HIGH COURT
His
Majesty the King has been pleased to appoint
Dasho Tsangtsa (previously Ha Thrimpon), Dasho
Ngidup Namgyal (previously Wangdiphodrang Thrimpon),
Dasho Kelzang (previously Gyaldung) and Gup
Serdo (National Assembly member from Paro),
as Judges in the first High Court to be established
in the country. The seat of the High Court will
be at Tashichhodzong. The High Court is expected
to start functioning from the 1st of the 10th
month of the Fire-Sheep year corresponding to
November 3, 1967.
Posted
on 1st June 2005
A
WEEKLY OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT
OF BHUTAN
November 5, 1967
Thimphu
High Court Inaugurated
Thimphu:- The newly constructed Rs. 6,80,000
High Court Building, situated in the enclosure
that contains the Thimphu Golf Course and at
a distance of some 400 yards from TashiChho
Dzong was inaugurated at 8.30 A.M. on October
27, by His Excellency the Minister for Home
Affairs, Lyonpo Tamji Jagar, in the Royal Presence
of His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo.
Also attendant upon the occasion were : Their
Excellencies the Ministers for Finance and Development,
Lyonpos Chhogyal and Dawa Tsering respectively:
the Honourable Deputy Home Minister: Dasho Shinkhar
Lam-Private Secretary to His Majesty and Speaker
of the National Assembly; Maktsi Lam Dorji;
senior officers of the Royal Government; Royal
Advisory Councillors and Assembly Members.
His Holiness the Jey Khempo, accompanied by
several Venerable Lamas of the Monk Body, arrived
early and carried out the blessing ceremony
of the various halls and rooms of the High Court
(Thrimkhang Gongma) while the guest mentioned
above assembled in the colourfully encircled
courtyard.
It was a warm bright morning with a soft breeze
fluttering the flags that formed an enchanting
avenue of colour from the neatly constructed
gate to the building. The assembled guest created
a dazzling array of splendour with their traditional
dress and orange, blue and red scarves of rank.
The building gleamed proudly as His Majesty
the Druk Gyalpo arrived, accompanied by Gyalpoi
Zimpon Dasho Sangey Tenzin, at 8.20 A.M.
On His Majesty's arrival, His Holiness performed
the Rabney (opening) ceremony with the sprinkling
of holy water and scattering of scared rice,
accompanied by the chanting of sacred words
from the holy scriptures. After this important
ceremony, His Excellency the Home Minister ascended
the steps and united the ribbon thus declaring
the High Court opened.
After the opening ceremony, tea and refreshments
were served by the junior staff of the High
Court, following which His Majesty departed,
putting an end to a quiet, simple and yet dignified
and important ceremony, adding yet another milestone
to the history of development in Bhutan.
A few words about the building itself which
presents a monumental structure built with concrete
hollow blocks. It covers a floor area of 7,486
square feet adorned with fine Bhutanese architecture
executed supremely well and decorated with traditional
paintings. Two side wings of rectangular shape
fan out from the double storied central portion
which is poised on massive ashlar plinths 8
feet high. The building has a spacious gallery
for the public and retiring rooms for the four
Judges of the Bench who deal with the civil
and criminal cases as well as with appeals from
the over Bhutan. (The Thimphu High Court is
the centre of all executive processes in Bhutanese
Law). The building was constructed by Contractor
Tan Dorji under the supervision of Dasho R.N.
Dikshit, Superintending Engineer, Civil Engineering
Services.
Posted
on 1st June 2005
FOR
THE FORTNIGHT ENDING 30TH JUNE 1968
High Court News
The High
Court at Thimphu is functioning satisfactorily
and disposing of all cases expeditiously. The
present judges of the High Court are Dasho Kesang,
Dasho Tsang Tsang, Dasho Nidup Namgyel, and
people's representative Dasho Sedo. His Holiness
the J. Khempo is shortly expected to nominate
a judge from the monk body.
Posted
on 1st June 2005
Workshop on Penal Code
Drangpons, Court officials and law students are attending a workshop on the Penal Code, which begun on May 19. The Chief Justice is presiding over the weeklong workshop.
Posted on 24th May 2005
The summary of the 17th Judicial Conference
Resolution
- A total of 42 issues tabled
by the various Courts in Bhutan were clarified
and resolved in the conference.
- It has been agreed that the
Civil and Criminal Procedure Code have introduced
uniformity and certainty in the procedure.
- Impact of the Penal Code of
Bhutan on uniform and humane sentencing has
been acknowledged.
- The Total number of cases decided
was 2,502 in 4 months and at present there are
2,913 pending cases.
- Out of the total number of cases
decided, 1,290 cases were decided in less than
108 days and 1,212 cases took more than 108
days. Hence, 51.89% of cases were decided within
108 days.
- There are only 33 pending cases
which have taken more than 18 months.
- His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo has commanded green as the colour of Kabney for the Drangpons and Rabjams to reinforce the separation of judiciary from the others.
16th May - 20th May 2005
