Samer Lichaa, renowned judge, ends his career

The judiciary, and more broadly the justice system, has just suffered a major loss with the resignation of one of its most esteemed and reputable magistrates. Samer Lichaa, who had been appointed in the July judicial shake-up as counselor in a Court of Cassation, and chosen by the president of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Souheil Abboud, to preside over the Military Court of Cassation in charge of criminal cases, has decided, four months later, to leave the judiciary.

A source close to the SJC regrets his resignation, telling L’Orient-Le Jour that the Council is particularly attached to this judge, who is recognized for his integrity and expertise. The source noted that Judge Lichaa decided to resign even though the presidency of the Military Court of Cassation is a top position, traditionally reserved by law for either the president of the SJC or a magistrate designated by the latter.

Lichaa, however, apparently viewed this appointment differently. According to our information, he was not satisfied with it, considering that such a position is usually seen by magistrates as a crowning achievement at the end of a career, while at his age (49), he feels he is in the prime of his professional activity and still has much to contribute.

Having served as deputy public prosecutor at the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeal, Lichaa was, alongside Judge Sami Sader, one of the two main candidates expected to take over the head of the Mount Lebanon Appeals Prosecution Office. In the end, it was Sader who was appointed. Not being chosen is believed to have disappointed Judge Lichaa, who, however, quickly moved past this setback by seizing a promising professional opportunity which, according to our information, had just become available to him outside the judicial system.

His resignation was approved by the Supreme Judicial Council, which held a meeting last week during which the judge explained his reasons for this decision. In order to officially leave the judiciary, Lichaa will still need to wait for a ministerial decree signed by the ministers of Justice and Finance, as well as the prime minister and the president of the republic.