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54 State of Judiciary 2011-2012
For the first time, the Judicial Service Commission processed
the promotion of magistrates through public participation.
In October, 2011, the names of 203 magistrates who were
being considered for promotion were published in the daily
newspapers.
The public was invited to submit in writing any information
of interest in relation to any of the judicial officers. Several
responses were received, which the Commission took into
consideration in processing the promotions.
During the year, all professional District Magistrates II were
upgraded to Resident Magistrate in an effort to enhance
their jurisdiction. Kadhis too were elevated for the same
reason. Article 171(1) b (ii) stipulates that the Judicial Service
Commission shall review and make recommendations on the
conditions of service of staff of the Judiciary. In recognition of
the fact that a well motivated and skilled manpower is essential
for the achievement of reforms, the Judicial Service Commission
approved the upgrading of all judicial staff (i.e. paralegal staff)
by one job group, effective December 1, 2011.
5.3.9 Human Resource Management and Development –
Training and Capacity Building
During the fiscal year, the Judicial Service Commission
undertook several capacity building activities to facilitate its
work -- including an Inaugural Benchmarking Study Tour to
Singapore and Hong Kong in March and April 2012. This tour
was particularly useful in providing benchmark case studies on
how Singapore and Hong Kong have adopted and made use
of technology in their day-to-day judicial processes in order to
more efficiently deliver justice. The tour also provided lessons
on strategic planning for reform initiatives to be undertaken in
the Judiciary.
A scholarship programme – titled the Chief Justice’s Legal
Scholarship Initiative -- was inaugurated in July 2012. Under it,
two magistrates were competitively selected to pursue Masters
degree courses in the United States. Two judges have also been
granted leave to pursue similar qualifications.
Induction training programmes for all newly appointed Judges