Seniority not vital in elevating judges, says CJ.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

KUALA LUMPUR: Seniority is not the ultimate criteria to elevate judges to the Federal Court.

Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, said other criteria like experience, ability and integrity would also have to be considered.

He said the appointments of judges were also made according to Principle 13 of the United Nations' Basic Principles of the Independence of the Judiciary.

The principle suggests that ability, integrity and experience have to be taken into consideration before a judge is appointed.

"If a junior (judge) has better merit than the senior, then …