The Judicial Service Association has filed a petition for an expedited hearing in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court regarding revisions to the Warrant of Precedence. Barrister Nihad Kabir submitted the petition on Thursday morning before a five-member bench led by the Chief Justice.

Addressing the court, Nihad Kabir emphasized the importance of a prompt hearing, stating that the existing Warrant of Precedence does not appropriately reflect the hierarchy of state positions. Responding to the submission, the Chief Justice directed the case to be listed as Item 10 for a hearing on January 16.

The matter stems from a ruling issued by the Appellate Division on January 11, 2015, which was finalized with the publication of a full verdict on November 10, 2016. The verdict outlined several key principles regarding the Warrant of Precedence:

1. Constitutional officeholders must be given priority in the hierarchy, as the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
2. District judges and judicial officers of equivalent rank, who previously ranked 24th, were elevated to the 16th position, placing them on par with secretaries of government ministries. The position of district judge is the highest rank within the Judicial Service, while secretaries hold equivalent status in other administrative cadres.
3. Additional district judges and judicial officers of similar rank were placed immediately after district judges, occupying the 17th position in the hierarchy.

The verdict also clarified that the Warrant of Precedence is to be used solely for state ceremonies and functions. It cannot be applied to policymaking or other administrative activities.

The Judicial Service Association has argued that these revisions to the hierarchy are crucial for maintaining the dignity of the judiciary and ensuring its alignment with constitutional principles. The upcoming hearing is expected to address these concerns and the implementation of the revised hierarchy.