Federal Supreme Court Judges Withdraw Resignations Following Appointment of New Chief Justice

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — In another development for Iraq’s judiciary, members of the Federal Supreme Court announced on Tuesday their decision to withdraw previously submitted requests for retirement following the resolution of issues that had prompted their resignations.

According to a statement issued by the Supreme Judicial Council, the announcement came during a joint meeting chaired by the Council’s President, Judge Faiq Zidan. The meeting was attended by senior judicial officials, including judges from the Federal Court of Cassation, the Chief Public Prosecutor, the Head of the Judicial Oversight Commission, and members of the Federal Supreme Court.

"The attendees congratulated the new President of the Court, Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein, on his appointment to the position," the Council’s statement read, "and expressed gratitude to the Court’s members for reversing their retirement requests after the causes leading to those requests had been resolved."

The meeting also addressed mechanisms for reinforcing sound judicial procedures, reaffirming strict adherence to constitutional jurisdiction, and safeguarding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. The Council emphasized the importance of avoiding practices that could compromise judicial integrity.

The decision to rescind the resignations comes after a period of institutional tension. Previously, six members of the Federal Supreme Court, along with three alternate judges, had submitted their resignations in protest against decisions made by the Supreme Judicial Council. Legal and judicial sources indicated that the resignations were triggered by mounting disputes between the two bodies over rulings and jurisdictional authority.

Among the disputed cases were the controversial revocation and subsequent restoration of the general amnesty law, jurisdictional disagreements over Iraq’s maritime boundary with Kuwait in the Khor Abdullah waterway, and the contentious retirement law ruling. These disputes highlighted a deepening rift between Iraq’s top judicial entities, with significant implications for the country’s legal framework.

Last Sunday, a specialized committee—formed under Article (3/First and Second) of the amended Federal Supreme Court Law No. 30 of 2005—announced the retirement of then-President of the Court, Judge Jassim Mohammed Aboud, citing "health concerns". The committee nominated Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein, then Vice President of the Federal Court of Cassation, to succeed him.

The Judiciary Media Department confirmed that the committee had formally approached the Presidency of the Republic to issue a republican decree to appoint Judge Mundhir as the new head of the Federal Supreme Court.

Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein is widely regarded as one of Iraq’s most distinguished legal figures. Born in Baghdad in 1963, he earned a law degree from the University of Baghdad in 1989 and graduated from the Judicial Institute in 1998. He has served as Vice President of the Federal Court of Cassation since 2018 and led its Criminal Board. He also previously served as an alternate member of the Federal Supreme Court.

This latest development appears to signal a renewed period of stability and cooperation within Iraq’s top judicial institutions, following months of uncertainty and internal disputes. The reinstatement of the judges and the installation of a respected figure at the helm of the Federal Supreme Court are seen as crucial steps in reinforcing the rule of law and judicial independence in Iraq.