Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan

The Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan is a judicial body of the superior judiciary of Pakistan, empowered under the Article 209 of the constitution of Pakistan, to hear cases of misconduct against judges.

Constitutional composition
The composition of the Council is set out in the constitution as:


 * The Chief Justice of Pakistan;
 * The two next most senior judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan;
 * The two most senior Chief Justices of the High courts.

Where the council is investigating a member of the council he is replaced by the next most senior judge.

Powers
No judge of any of the five High Courts or of the Supreme Court of Pakistan may be dismissed except by the President on the report of the Supreme Judicial Council. The Council may start proceedings against a judge either by its own initiative or by reference from the President of Pakistan.

If the Council concludes that the judge is guilty of misconduct and should be removed from office, it can recommend this to the President.

A judge of a court or tribunal subordinate to a High Court may be dismissed by the High Court concerned.