Last update - 00:00 15/08/2007
Friedmann, Beinisch jointly back legislation on courts' authority
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
Former chief justices Aharon Barak and Meir Shamgar announced Wednesday that Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann and Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch are promoting legislation that would define the precise authority of the justice system.
Friedmann and Beinisch have conducted a highly publicized rivalry since the justice minister took office in February, over the scope of authority granted to the Supreme Court.
The proposed legislation, a joint effort between Beinisch and Friedmann, would also create internal supervision bodies within the justice system.
This announcement follows two meetings held between the former Supreme Court presidents and the justice minister over the last week, whose content has so far been undisclosed. The agreement reached by the three in attendance also reflects Beinisch's views, the announcement said.
The agreement was that "the Supreme Court president and the justice minister will cooperate in efforts to advance the justice system, and they will do this while recognizing the president [Beinisch] as one who heads the legal system, and recognizing the justice minister as one responsible for the administrative arrangement of the courts, in accordance with the authorities granted to each by law and with mutual respect."
Several months ago, Beinisch announced that one of her express goals is to establish a legal system that is not subordinate to the Justice Ministry, and conducts its affairs directly with the Knesset. This sentiment has also been expressed by both Barak and Shamgar in the past.