Wednesday, 12 March 2003
PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE: NOMINATION OF DR. CLÁUDIO DE JESUS XIMENES AS THE
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL OF TIMOR-LESTE
In a move
to further develop and structure the Judiciary in Timor-Leste,
H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão issued decree no.04/2003
of 10th
March, 2003 nominating Dr. Cláudio de Jesus Ximenes as the President
of the
Court of Appeal of Timor-Leste.
This legal
document is a major step towards the full establishment of the
legal system in Timor-Leste as it activates the Court of Appeal which
will
function as the highest judicial institution in Timor-Leste, until the
establishment of the Supreme Court of Justice. The Court of Appeal also
constitutes a fundamental resource to citizens and their right to appeal
decisions by lower ranking courts.
Although
there are still further steps to be taken to fully establish the
system as enshrined in the Constitution, President Xanana Gusmão
considers
this decree to be of crucial importance.
Dr. Cláudio
de Jesus Ximenes is an East Timorese judge who has 21 years of
experience as a 'Juiz Desembargador' (equivalent to Judge of the District
Court) in Portugal.