The application form can also be downloaded from official websites of the SC, JC and Nepal Bar Association. The prospective candidate will have to clarify, among others details, if he or she has been convicted on criminal offence, tax clearance and any complaints over his/her conduct.

Earlier, the council had also set a similar criteria for appointments in appellate courts, but did not extend the provision to the apex court. The decision to issue the notice for appointment is similar to JC’s previous move which was later revoked by the apex court.

As per the constitution, anyone “who has worked as a judge of an Appellate Court or any equivalent post in the judicial service for at least seven years, or has worked as a gazetted first class officer or above in the judicial service for at least 12 years, or has practised law for at least 15 years as a law graduate advocate or senior advocate, or a distinguished jurist who has worked for at least 15 years in the judicial or legal field is eligible for appointment as a judge at the Supreme Court.”

Three permanent positions of justices currently remain vacant at the SC.

JC member Upendra Kesari Neupane has submitted a list of candidates deemed eligible for the post of SC justices to Chief Justice and Chairperson of JC Ram Kumar Prasad Shah. The candidates include Attorney General (AG) Baburam Kunwar, former AG Yuvraj Sangraula, Senior Advocates Ram Krishna Nirala, Tulsi Bhatta, Anil Sinha , Prakash Raut, and Professor Rajit Bhakta Pradhananga. Neupane has also suggested the names of Chief Judges Meera Khadka and Anand Mohan Bhattarai.