Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 — Section 14: Composition and appointment of presiding officers of Anti-terrorism Courts

1[14. Composition and appointment of presiding officers of Anti-terrorism Courts.__ (1) An Anti-terrorism Court shall consist of a Judge, being a person who

(i)is a Judge of a High Court, or is or has been a Sessions Judge or an Additional Sessions Judge; or

(ii)is a Judicial Magistrate First Class vested with powers under section 30 of the Code; or

(iii)has for a period of not less than ten years been an advocate of a High Court.

(2)The Federal Government or the Provincial Government, if directed by the Federal Government to establish a court under this Act, shall, after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, appoint a Judge of each court.

(3)A Judge shall hold office for a period of two and a-half years but may be appointed for such further term or part of term as the Government appointing the Judge may determine.

(4)A Judge may be removed from his office prior to the completion of the period for which he has been appointed after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.

(5)In case a Judge is on leave, or for any other reason temporarily unable to perform his duties, the Government making appointment of such Judge may, after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, authorize the Sessions Judge, having jurisdiction at the principal seat of the Anti-terrorism Court, to conduct proceedings of urgent nature so long as such judge is unable to perform his duties.

(6)The Anti-terrorism Courts existing immediately before the commencement of the Anti terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2002, and the judges appointed to such Courts, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, as amended, continue to function and try offences under this Act.]