NAIROBI, Kenya — The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) commenced interviews for the position of Chairperson of the Competition Tribunal as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s specialised dispute resolution institutions.
The Commission said the tribunal plays a critical role in hearing and determining appeals and review applications arising from decisions made by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).
The interviews come days after the JSC concluded recruitment for two other specialised judicial positions.
On Wednesday, the Commission interviewed candidates for the positions of Chairperson of the Industrial Property Tribunal and Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal.
The Industrial Property Tribunal is mandated to hear and determine appeals and disputes relating to patents, industrial designs, utility models, technovations and semiconductor technologies.
Meanwhile, the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal handles appeals against decisions made by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and resolves disputes involving licensees and third parties operating within the energy and petroleum sector.
In a statement, the JSC said the recruitment exercises are part of its broader strategy to enhance the capacity of specialised tribunals that support the administration of justice in Kenya.
“Through these recruitment processes, the Commission continues to strengthen specialized tribunals that play a critical role in the administration of justice and the resolution of sector-specific disputes,” the Commission said.
Specialised tribunals complement the Judiciary by providing expert and timely resolution of disputes in highly technical sectors, including competition, intellectual property, energy and petroleum.
Their decisions are instrumental in promoting regulatory certainty, protecting consumer and investor rights, and supporting Kenya’s economic development.
The recruitment process forms part of the JSC’s constitutional mandate to facilitate an efficient, independent and accountable Judiciary by ensuring qualified leadership is appointed to key judicial and quasi-judicial institutions.