She is the one who will succeed to chief judge, Ashraf Caunhye in 5 months’ time. Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, has been appointed as Senior Puisne Judge (SPJ), succeeding to ex-SPJ Nalini Matabeen retired this June at 67. By this step in the Judiciary, Rehana Mungly- Gulbul will become the first woman as Chief Judge for the Republic of Mauritius.
The new No2 in Judiciary
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the first Lady Chief Justice in history who served America’s Supreme Court from 1981 until 2006, Mauritius will get its milestone with Rehama Mungly- Gulbul. She marks a milestone in the history of Justice in Mauritius and also as a Women’s. The President of the Republic, Prithviraj Roopun under Article 77 (2) of the Constitution made the appointment procession for her to become the Current no 2 in Judiciary the last 16th June. In her early 60’s, Rehana Mungly Gulbul will be the 12th Chief Judge as from November with the departure of Asraf Caunhye. It is intended that she will keep this post and title up to her retirement in April 2027.
Review on her path
Let us highlight on how Bibi Rehana Mungly paved her way for success with flying colours. After receiving her primary education at the Phoenix Government School, where came out with extremely high results, she joined the Queen Elizabeth College for her secondary studies and even became a laureate at the end. After studying law in England, she was called to the Bar in 1983. Further on, she worked for five years at the prosecution before joining the magistracy of the various district courts and that of Rodrigues. She held the post of Deputy Master and Registrar and, subsequently, as Master and Registrar of the Supreme Court and in 2008, Rehana Mungly-Gulbul was appointed judge. She was also appointed as president of the Commercial Court.
Rehana Mungly Gulbul is the wife of renowned Lawyer Raouf Gulbul. She is amongst the 14 women that constitute the appointed team of 21 judges.
The First Lady after 11!
Mauritius counts 11 Chief Judges since Independence. They are Michel Rivalland who served from 1967 to 1970, Sir Jean François Maurice Latour-Adrien from 1970 to 1977, Sir William Henry Garrioch from 1977 to 1978, Sir Cassam Moollan from 1982 to 1988, Sir Victor Joseph Patrick Glover, from 1988 to 1994, Rajsoomer Lallah in 1995 only. Ariranga Pillay succeeded him for the period 1996 to 2007, Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen served from 2007 to 2013, Kheshoe Parsad Matadeen from 2013 to 2019, Marc France Eddy Balancy from 2019 to 2020 and Ashraf Caunhye from 2020 to 2021. Rehana Mungly Gulbul will be the 12th, but the first female patron of Judiciary, with an intended duration from 2021 to 2027. She will be called “Lady Chief Justice’’.
