He is to replace Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani who had requested in late February to step down after nearly 10 years of service in the position.
In late December, Amoli Larijani was appointed by the Leader as chairman of Expediency Council and a member of Guardians Council.
The Expediency Council is mainly responsible for resolving disagreements between the Iranian Parliament and the Guardians Council, which vets parliamentary laws and candidates of presidential, parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, according to Financial Tribune.
Since 2016, Raeisi has been the custodian of Astan Qods Razavi, a major institution in charge of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Shia Imam.
In his decree, the Leader pointed to the start of the Islamic Revolution’s fifth decade, stressing the need to mark a new era in the judiciary based on past experiences and be able to respond to current circumstances.
“To achieve this purpose, I have selected you who have a long background at various levels in the judiciary … and moreover, have legal education and adequate knowledge and experience in this field,” he wrote in his letter of appointment.
Long-Serving Judicial Official
Raeisi has held several top-level posts in the judiciary. He was the prosecutor of several cities, including Karaj, Hamedan and Tehran, before serving as the prosecutor-general of the country and later also became the head of the General Inspectorate Organization of Iran which is affiliated to the judiciary. He also served as deputy judiciary chief under Amoli Larijani and the late Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi.
Besides his clerical studies, Raeisi has a master’s degree in international private law and a PhD in jurisprudence and fundamentals of Islamic law from Shahid Motahari University.
Raeisi has prepared a judicial reform proposal, which Ayatollah Khamenei described as “useful and productive” in his decree, but strongly advised Raeisi to consider a number of points in its implementation.
Careful timing, recruiting young and law-abiding workforce, fighting corruption, focusing on public justice, upholding people’s rights, raising the judges’ self-esteem and undertaking efficient interaction with the other two branches of power (executive and legislative) were among the leader’s instructions.
Raeisi’s public profile rose after running as a candidate in the latest presidential election in 2017. He faced a stiff competition from Hassan Rouhani who was seeking a second term in office and ranked second with nearly 39% of total votes.
The chief of the Iranian judiciary is appointed by the Leader for a five-year tenure that is extendable. Raeisi is the sixth chief to head the country’s judicial body.