Turkish parliament ratifies restructure to high courts

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) – A bill to restructure Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals and Council of State was ratified Friday by parliament.

The number of departments in the Council of State will be reduced to 10 from 17 in at least three years, while the number of departments in the Supreme Court of Appeals will be cut from 46 to 24.

The new measures enable members of both courts to serve 12-year terms without being eligible to be elected for a second term.

Turkey's constitution authorizes the country’s president to directly select one-quarter of the Council of State.

Current members of both high courts will be dismissed by the time the law takes effect, except for the presidents, deputy presidents and attorney generals of the chambers who will be permitted to maintain their positions despite the new rules.

The Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, or HSYK, will select the new members of both within five days of the laws going into effect.

The new law also regulates terror lawsuits that will be heard in the heavy penal courts in the city centers.