New appointment: Justice Ahsan sworn in as LHC chief justice

The chief justice, in his inaugural message, said the LHC was the oldest high court in the country

LAHORE:

Justice Ijazul Ahsan took oath as the 44th chief justice of Lahore High Court in a ceremony held at Governor’s House on Friday.

Governor Rafique Rajwana administered the oath. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal, judges of the LHC, provincial ministers, vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, presidents and office bearers of Lahore High Court Bar Association and Lahore Bar Association and law officers were also present.

Later, Chief Justice Ahsan went to the high court where a guard of honour was presented to him as per tradition.

The chief justice, in his inaugural message posted on LHC website, said the Lahore High Court was the oldest high court in the country.

“Our goal is to enforce the Constitution and rule of law through independent and impartial adjudication,” he said.

“We wish to be accessible to litigating parties and the public at large for basic information about our work and important events. It is our constant endeavour to provide speedy and fair justice in causes that are brought to or reported to the Lahore High Court.”

Chief Justice Ijazul Ahsan was born on August 5, 1960 in Murree. He received his early education in Lahore. He was admitted to Forman Christian College in 1975 from where he graduated in 1979 with a scholarship of merit.

He joined the Punjab University Law College, Lahore where he won various awards, including a gold medal, for academic achievements. He also secured a top position in the All Pakistan Universities Summer Moot arranged by Higher Education Commission at Khanas Pur, Nathia Gali. After completing his LLB studies, he joined law practice and completed his apprenticeship in civil and criminal law. Thereafter, he proceeded to pursue post-graduate studies at Cornell University New York, USA. He graduated in 1987 with a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M).

On his return from the USA, he joined law practice with a reputable law firm where he later became a partner. His law practice covered civil, banking, property, commercial and constitutional matters. He conducted a large number of cases before high courts as well as the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He also conducted a number of local and international commercial arbitrations involving local as well as multinational parties.

He attended a number of local and international conferences and professional training courses including those organised by Asian Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He was awarded Chevening scholarship by the British Council to study commercial law in the United Kingdom.

He also received a fellowship from the South Western Institute for International Studies at Dallas.

While practicing as an advocate, he taught contract and commercial law for many years. He was elevated as a judge of the Lahore High court on September 15, 2009. He was confirmed as a judge of the LHC on May 11, 2011.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2015.