Zaydan reins in Supreme Court’s growing influence

The head of Iraq’s judiciary appears to be curbing the growing influence of the Federal Supreme Court after the Court of Cassation revoked a recent verdict on the grounds that the Supreme Court had exceeded its jurisdiction.

The Federal Court of Cassation, the highest judicial body overseeing the rulings of all courts in Iraq, issued a significant ruling last week, overturning an April Supreme Court decision related to the pension rights of a retiring judge.

The Court of Cassation's ruling was notable for its sharp rebuke of the Supreme Court. It stated that the Supreme Court was not permitted to amend laws, a power that exclusively belongs to the Council of Representatives, and that by doing so, the Supreme Court had undermined the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches.