Former Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur has been appointed as the chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council. His term will run until November 12, 2028. This prestigious appointment marks another milestone in Justice Lokur’s distinguished legal career.
In an official communication dated December 19, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed Justice Lokur of the appointment. “I have the pleasure to appoint you, with immediate effect, as a member of the Internal Justice Council, in the capacity of chairperson,” the communication stated.
The Internal Justice Council oversees the functioning of the internal justice system within the United Nations, ensuring its independence, fairness, and transparency. Justice Lokur will lead a panel comprising other eminent members:
– Carmen Artigas (Uruguay): Distinguished external jurist nominated by staff.
– Rosalie Balkin (Australia): Distinguished external jurist nominated by management.
– Stefan Brezina (Austria): Staff representative.
– Jay Pozenel (United States): Management representative.
Born in 1953, Justice Lokur has an illustrious record in the judiciary. He served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India from June 4, 2012, to December 30, 2018, retiring upon reaching the statutory retirement age. His tenure was marked by landmark judgments on environmental protection, human rights, and judicial reforms.
Following his retirement, Justice Lokur continued his global engagement in the judiciary. In 2019, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Fiji’s non-resident panel, becoming the first Indian judge to serve on the bench of another nation’s Supreme Court.
