Judicial Service Commission Employment Opportunities

Republic of Kenya

Judicial Service Commission

Vacancy for the Office of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice

The Judicial Service Commission of Kenya invites applications from qualified persons for the following positions in the Judiciary:

1. Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya
1 Post

Ref. V/No. 1/2011

Terms of Service: Constitutional Office

Period of Service: Maximum ten years subject to retirement age of seventy (70) years

Functions

The Chief Justice shall discharge the following functions:

• Be the Head of the Judiciary.
• Be the President of the Supreme Court.
• Convene and Chair the Judicial Service Commission meetings.
• Be the link between the Judiciary and other arms of Government.
• Assign duties to the Deputy Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Principal Judge of the High Court and the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
• Give an annual report to the Nation on the state of the Judiciary and the administration of Justice.
• Exercise general direction and control over the Judiciary.
• Chair the National Council on Administration of Justice.
• Oversee the management and administration of the Judiciary Fund
• Discharge any other functions as required of him or her by the Constitution and any other legislation.

Constitutional and Statutory Requirements for Appointment

For appointment to the position of Chief Justice, the Applicants must be ¡n possession of the following minimum qualifications:-

a) Hold a law degree from a recognised university or are an advocate of the High Court of Kenya or possess an equivalent qualification in a common-law jurisdiction.

b) Possess at least fifteen (15) years’ experience as a Superior Court Judge or a distinguished academic or a Judicial Officer or a Legal Practitioner in other relevant legal field, or

c) Hold the outlined qualifications in (a) and (b) above for a period amounting, in the aggregate, to fifteen ( 15) years. (Experience gained ¡n Kenya or in another Commonwealth Country with a common-law jurisdiction will be considered).

d) Have a high moral character, integrity and impartiality.

In addition to the above qualifications, the candidates must have demonstrated a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, making good judgements in both legal and life experiences, and commitment to public and community service.

2. Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya
1 Post

Ref. V/No.2/2011

Terms of Service: Constitutional Office

Functions

The Deputy Chief Justice shall discharge the following functions:-

• Deputise the Chief Justice.
• Be the Vice President of the Supreme Court.
• Be responsible to the Chief Justice in the exercise of the duties assigned to him or her.
• Discharge any other functions as required of him or her by the Constitution and any other legislation.

Constitutional and Statutory Requirements for Appointment

For appointment to the position of Deputy Chief Justice, the applicants must be in possession of the following minimum qualifications:-

a) Hold a law degree from a recognised university or are an advocate of the High Court of Kenya or possess an equivalent qualification ¡n a common-law jurisdiction.

b) Possess at least fifteen (15) years’ experience as a Superior Court Judge or a distinguished academic or a Judicial Officer or a Legal Practitioner in other relevant legal field, or

c) Hold the outlined qualifications in (a) and (b) above for a period amounting, in the aggregate, to fifteen ( 15) years. (Experience gained ¡n Kenya or ¡n another Commonwealth Country with a common-law jurisdiction will be considered).

d) Have a high moral character, integrity and impartiality.

In addition to the above qualifications, the candidates must have demonstrated a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, making good judgements ¡n both legal and life experiences, and commitment to public and community service.

The Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Article I 66 ( I ) (a) of the Constitution read with Section 24 (2) of the Sixth Schedule.

Interested and qualified persons are requested to make their applications by forwarding the following:

1) A letter of Application,

2) A detailed and updated curriculum vitae summarizing the applicant’s bio-data including; background information (such as community service, financial discipline, pro bono activity, involvement as a party in litigation and involvement in political activity including any financial contribution to any political party/parties and criminal record) legal education, legal practice / engagement for the last five (5) years, three (3) professional references and two (2) character references who can verify and comment on the applicant’s past and present employment,

3) Completed Application for Employment Forms in triplicate - JSC 2A (for public officers) or JSC 2 (for other applicants),

4) Five (5) samples of any writings by the applicant, including but not limited to Judgements, scholarly writings or any legal publications that the applicant has authored,

5) The applicant’s three recent coloured passport size photographs,

6) Declaration of income and liabilities as at the time of making the application, using the prescribed forms. For those who are in Government employment, attach copies of returns of declaration of income and liabilities and for those ¡n private practice attach income tax returns, for the last three (3) years,

7) Certified copies of testimonials and professional certificates and academic transcripts,

To:

The Secretary
Judicial Service Commission
P.O. Box 30041-00100, Nairobi,
E-Mail: rhc@judiciary.go.ke

so as to reach the Commission within a period of twenty one (21) days from the date of
this advertisement.

The JSC 2A and JSC 2 Forms and the Declaration of Income and Assets Forms are available free of charge at the Commission’s Secretary/Registrar’s Chambers Room No. 10 at the High Court Building, Nairobi during office hours.

The Forms can also be downloaded from the Judiciary’s Website www.judiciary.go.ke

Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted.

Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.

The Judicial Service Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and selects candidates on merit, through fair and open competition, from the widest range of eligible candidates.

L.A. Achode
The Secretary
Judicial Service Commission