Kathmandu, November 21:

Senior lawyers today unanimously passed a proposal forwarded by Nepal Bar Association (NBA), which demands that 50 per cent of all judge appointments be made from among the lawyers, threatening demonstration in the failure to do so.

The lawyers’ resolution came at a time when the Judicial Council (JC), headed by Chief Justice

Kedar Prasad Giri, is making final preparations for the appointment of judges. According to a source, the JC plans to appoint the judges in the SC, followed by appointments in the Appellate Courts and the District Courts.

Senior advocates, former chairmen, vice chairmen and general secretaries supported a proposal furnished by Raman Kumar Shrestha, general secretary of the NBA, to launch a protest against the decision of the JC. The senior lawyers attended the advisors’ council meeting of the lawyers’ body.

“If they do not provide fifty percent share to the judges, the protest is unavoidable,” a senior

advocate said. “We want to see a change,” he said. The advocate also blamed that the JC had been conspiring to promote the Chief Judges of the Appellate Court, by brushing aside the lawyers’ demands.

NBA Chairman Bishwo Kanta Mainali said all the senior lawyers had expressed dissatisfaction over JC’s plan to promote the appellate court judges to the apex court.

The lawyers also discussed the terms and reference of the verdict study committee, and investigation committee of Nepal Bar Association.