Venezuelan lawyers call extraordinary assembly to discuss Supreme Court reform

Venezuelan lawyers are set to convene for an extraordinary assembly to address significant reforms impacting the nation's judicial system, particularly concerning the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). The event, organized by the Constitutional Bloc, will focus on the ongoing process of reforming the Organic Law of the TSJ and the impending renewal of its magistrates.

Constitutionalist María Gabriela Hernández, who will moderate the assembly, stressed the critical role of the legal profession in this transformative period. "This subtle and profound change is happening, and we lawyers must be there because we are part of the justice system, because we are citizens, and because we are Venezuelans," she stated, highlighting the perceived deterioration of the judicial system over recent decades.

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This subtle and profound change is happening, and we lawyers must be there because we are part of the justice system, because we are citizens, and because we are Venezuelans.

The assembly comes in the wake of the National Assembly's approval, in its first discussion, of a partial reform to the Organic Law of the TSJ. This proposed reform seeks to increase the membership of the Judicial Nominations Committee from 21 to 23 individuals, with 11 deputies and 12 representatives from other societal sectors. The committee's operational term is also set to be defined as two years under the proposal.

Organizers aim for the assembly to foster professional dialogue and participation in the judicial reform process. The event will feature prominent figures such as Alejandro González Valenzuela, executive secretary of the Constitutional Bloc; Juan Miguel Matheus, a member of the negotiation team for the 2015 elected National Assembly; and Dinorah Figuera, president of that parliamentary body. Hernández indicated that further assemblies may be held as the judicial renewal process unfolds, urging lawyers to remain actively engaged.

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It will be the first of as many times as necessary that we meet in extraordinary assembly until we can see and feel the restitution of justice power in Venezuela.