DILI, 20 june 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the Court of Appeal, Deolindo dos Santos, swore in four new administrative judges for the Court of First Instance in four different municipalities – Oé-Cusse, Suai, Baucau, and Dili.
Argentino Nunes, Ivan Antonino, João Ribeiro, and Edite Reis were appointed administrative judges of Oé-Cusse, Suai, Baucau, and Dili, respectively, in a ceremony held at the Court of Appeal, in Dili, on monday.
Santos recalled that, according to the Law on the Organization and Competence of Judicial Courts, administrative judges are appointed through the decision of the Council of Judicial Magistrates for a three-year term.
He said the competence of the administrative judges of the Judicial Court of First Instance focused on the management of court cases with the guidance of the Superior Council of the Judiciary.
Santos highlighted the importance of the role of administrative judges in the process of implementing the Law on the Organization and Competence of Judicial Courts.
“The law confers the power and obligation for administrative judges to proceed with the management of the cases as well as providing procedural assistance so that the judicial instance can function effectively in the performance of its functions,” he explained.
He said that Timor-Leste’s justice sector has gone through several challenges, especially in the process of building basic infrastructures, but continues to guarantee a fair, equal, and free justice system.
Dos Santos noted that the Court of Appeal currently has 34 judges, 28 auditors in the Chamber of Timorese Auditors, 87 court clerks, and 123 court staff: “We still don’t have enough human resources, so it is necessary to have four judges in the Supreme Court, nine in the Court of Appeal and 73 in the First Instance Courts in all the 13 municipalities.”
Santos recommended the new government give priority to the recruitment of new judges and clerks, as well as reinforcing investment in the Judicial Training Centre.
Edite Palmira dos Reis, one of the new administrative judges, said she would strengthen collaboration with the Superior Council of the Magistrates, especially in the elaboration of performance planning to ensure effective case management during her three-year term.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
