Kathmandu, Aug. 10 -- The Judicial Council is preparing to prioritise career judges from the district and high courts for upcoming Supreme Court appointments, potentially ending the long-standing practice of appointing private legal practitioners directly to the top court.

According to sources within the council, preparations are underway to ensure that no lawyers in private practice are directly appointed to the Supreme Court in the upcoming round of appointments. The council is discussing whether to institutionalise a system in which judges with experience at the district and high courts are given preference for selection to the country's highest court.

The appointment of Supreme Court justices has long been debated, drawing scrutiny ...