The Judicial Service Commission says all magistrates who applied for appointment as judges to the civil stream of the High Court did not meet the requirements during a recruitment process conducted last year.

The commission said it received five nominations during that recruitment, and all candidates were magistrates, but none reached the required score in the written assessment to proceed in the selection process.

The commission said the civil stream requires experience in areas such as company law, contract law and other civil matters, while many candidates from the magistracy have experience in criminal law and criminal procedure.

The commission said the shortage of judges has affected the scheduling and handling of civil matters.

The statement follows the announcement by Chief Justice Peter Shivute of the appointment of three foreign judges to the High Court.

Justice David Mangota of Zimbabwe, Justice James Devittie, also from Zimbabwe, and Justice Gabriel Komboni have all been appointed to the High Court in acting capacities and will take the oath of affirmation on Monday.