High Court warns of ‘anarchy,’ societal breakdown if officials don’t abide by rulings

The High Court of Justice warns that failing to obey or respect a court ruling will lead to anarchy, societal breakdown and unrestrained government power.

The court makes its comments in reference to a declaration by the government on Sunday that it does not view a High Court ruling regarding the media regulation body as valid, giving rise to concerns that the coalition was violating the rule of law and taking the country toward a constitutional crisis.

Additionally, the court warns that public officials who do not abide by court rulings may not enjoy immunity from civil damages suits.

“The obligation to comply with and respect court judgments is among the fundamental conditions upon which the rule of law in a democratic state is founded,” the court says.

“Without compliance with court rulings, the principle of the rule of law is undermined, and social order disintegrates. Everyone will do as they see fit, and the distance between the rule of law and anarchy is a hair’s breadth,” the court says, citing a ruling from 2007.

The court’s comments about exposure to civil suits for public and elected officials appears to be a warning to members of the Second Authority council, among others, to abide by the court’s ruling in June that the panel can continue to function despite not having the requisite quorum.

The High Court issues its statement as a “decision” making it part of the official case record and formally expressing how it expects the existing law and prior court orders to be respected.

The government’s declaration on Sunday stated that it would not see any decision taken by the council under the terms of the High Court order as valid.

Yesterday, all living former presidents of the Supreme Court issued a joint condemnation of the government’s announcement, saying that refusing to respect or obey court decisions is “the last nail in the coffin of democracy.”