Vacancies in the Judiciary of Kenya

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


Judge of the Court of Appeal

(4 Posts)
Ref: V/No. 27/2012

Terms of Service: Constitutional Office

Period of service: Retirement at the age of 70 years with an election to retire on attaining the age of 65 years

Functions:

A Judge of the Court of Appeal shall serve in the Court of Appeal of Kenya and shall exercise the following functions:-

    Hear and determine Appeals from the High Court and
    Hear and determine appeals from other courts or Tribunals as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.

Constitutional and Statutory Requirements for Appointment:

For appointment to the position of Judge of the Court of Appeal, the applicant must possess the following minimum qualifications:

(a) Hold a law degree from a recognized university, or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya; or possess an equivalent qualification in common-law jurisdiction;

    Have at least ten years’ experience as a superior court judge; or
    At least ten years’ experience as a distinguished Academic or legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field; or
    Held the qualifications mentioned in paragraph (i) and (ii) for a period amounting, in the aggregate to ten years.

(Note: experience may have been gained in Kenya or in any other country with common law jurisdiction)

(C) Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and be of high moral character, integrity and impartiality, In addition, the applicants must demonstrate a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, making of good judgments in both legal and life experiences and commitment to public and community service.

The appointment shall be made ¡n accordance with Article 166 (1) (b), (2) and (4) of the Constitution of Kenya.

Judge of the High Court of Kenya

(10 Posts)
Ref: V/No. 28/2012

Terms of Service: Constitutional Office

Period of service: Retirement at the age of 70 years with an election to retire on attaining the age of 65 years Functions:

A Judge of the High Court shall serve in any High Court Station in Kenya and shall exercise the following functions:-

    Have unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters;
    Have jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened;
    Have jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a decision of a tribunal appointed under Article 144 of the Constitution;
    Have jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of the Constitution including the determination of:

    The question whether any law is inconsistent with or ¡n contravention of the Constitution;
    The question whether anything said to be done under the authority of the Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of the Constitution;
    Any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government; and

    A question relating to conflict of laws under Article 191 of the Constitution;
    Any other jurisdiction, original or appellate, conferred by any legislation. Constitutional and Statutory Requirements for Appointment:

For appointment to the position of Judge of the High Court, an applicant must possess the following qualifications:

    Hold a law degree from a recognized university, or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possess an equivalent qualification in a common-law jurisdiction.
    Have at least ten (10) years’ experience as a Superior Court Judge or professionally qualified Magistrate; or
    Have at least ten (10) years’ experience as a distinguished academic or legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field; or
    Have held the qualifications specified in paragraphs (b) and (C) for a period amounting, in aggregate, to ten (10) years: (Note experience may have been gained in Kenya or in any other country with a Common Law jurisdiction)
    Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and be of high moral character, integrity and impartiality. In addition, the applicants must demonstrate a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, good judgment in both legal and life experiences and commitment to public and community service.

The appointments shall be made in accordance with Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

Judge of the Environment and Land Court

(15 Posts)
Ret: V/No. 29/2012.

Terms of Service: Constitutional Office.

Period of Service: Retirement at the age of 7O years with an election to retire on attaining the age of 65 years.

Functions: A Judge of the Environment and Land Court shall serve in any Environment and Land Court station in Kenya and shall exercise the following functions:

    Have original and appellate jurisdiction to hear and determine all disputes relating to environment and the use and occupation of, and title to, land;
    Hear and determine disputes relating to:
    environmental planning and protection, trade, climate issues, land use planning, title, tenure, boundaries, rates, rents, valuations, mining, minerals and other natural resources; compulsory acquisition of land; ‘ land administration and management; public, private and community land and contracts, choses in action or other instruments granting any enforceable interest in land; and any other dispute relating to environment and land.
    Hear and determine applications for redress of a denial, violation or infringement of, or threat to, rights or fundamental freedom relating to the environment and Land under Chapter Five of the Constitution.
    Exercise appellate jurisdiction over the decisions of local tribunals in respect of matters falling within the jurisdiction of the court.
    Have supervisory jurisdiction over local tribunals, persons or authorities.
    Constitutional and statutory requirements for appointment.

For appointment to the position of Judge of the Environment and Land Court, applicants must possess the following qualifications: -

    Hold a law degree from a recognized university, or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possess an equivalent qualification in a common-law jurisdiction.
    Have at least ten (10) years’ experience as a Superior Court Judge or professionally qualified Magistrate; or
    Have at least ten (10) years’ experience as a distinguished academic or legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field; or
    Have held the qualifications specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) for a period amounting, in aggregate, to ten (10) years.

Notes:

    The experience may have been gained in Kenya or in any other country with a Common Law jurisdiction;
    Knowledge and experience in environmental and land matters will be an added advantage; Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and be of high moral character, integrity and impartiality. In addition, the applicants must demonstrate a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, good judgment in both legal and life experiences and commitment to public and community service.

The appointments shall be made in accordance with Article 166 (1) (b) as read with Article 162 (2) (b) and (3) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

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

(1) Filing an online Application for Employment Form available on the Judiciary website: www.judiciary.
go.ke/jobs or clicking the vacancies link on the website.

Applicants should upload soft copies of the following documents to the online application as provided:

(a) A letter of application

(b) 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/professional engagement for the last five (5) years, three (3) professional referees and two (2) character references who can verify and comment on the applicant’s past and present employment.

(c) Three of the applicant’s recent colored passport size photographs.

(d) Five (5) samples of any writings by the applicant, including but not limited to judgments, advocacy submissions in courts, scholarly writings or any legal publications that the applicant has authored.

(e) Declaration of income and liabilities as at the time of making the application, using the prescribed forms (The Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities Form JSC 2b can be downloaded from the Judiciary website - www.judiciary.go.ke). For those who are in Government employment, attach copies of returns of declaration of income and liabilities and for those in private practice attach income tax returns, for the last three (3) years.

(f) Certified copies of testimonials and professional certificates and academic transcripts.

(2) Applicants are also required to forward one (1) hard copy of the completed Employment Application
Form including all the attachments cited above.

To:
The Secretary
Judicial Service Commission
P.O. Box 30041-00100 Nairobi
E-mail: jscsecretariatjudiciary.go.ke
Commission Secretariat: Mayfair Centre,
Ralph Bunche Road, upper Hill, Nairobi, 5th Floor

So as to reach the Commission not later than 9th January 2013 at 5.00 p.m.

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.