Supreme Court Rules on 22A, Warns of Threats to Judicial Independence

• Constitutional Determination: The Supreme Court determined the 22nd Amendment Bill—raising Supreme Court judges' retirement age to 67 and Court of Appeal judges' to 65—requires only a two-thirds parliamentary majority, with no public referendum needed under Article 83. • Judicial Independence: The Bench addressed public and political criticism, warning that intemperate attacks by politicians and the media pose a "particular threat to judicial independence" and risk eroding public trust in the rule of law. • Political Friction: The ruling follows criticism from Opposition lawmakers in Parliament directed at the Chief Justice and the Determination ahead of planned public protests against the bill. • Core Stance: Citing precedent and international judicial commentary, the Bench reaffirmed that judges must exercise moral courage to uphold impartiality without being swayed by public sentiment, social media amplification, or political agendas.