Srinagar, Sep 22: Senior judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney on Tuesday took oath as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during a ceremony held at the Chief Justice’s Court in the Srinagar wing of the High Court.

Chief Justice Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati administered the oath of office to Justice Bourney.

Registrar General M K Sharma read out the warrant of appointment and conducted the proceedings.

The ceremony was attended by several sitting judges of the High Court, while judges based at the Jammu wing participated virtually.

Justice Bourney’s family members, relatives and close associates were also present during the ceremony.

The event was attended by senior administrative and judicial officials, police officers, law officers, senior advocates and representatives of the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu and Kashmir Advocates’ Association.

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued the notification appointing Bourney as a High Court judge on September 19, 2026.

Born on August 25, 1967, in Dadwara village of Bhaddu, Billawar in Kathua district, Justice Bourney has held several important judicial positions during his career.

He has served as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Leh, Baramulla, Udhampur and Jammu. He has also served as Special Judge Anti-Corruption in Srinagar and Jammu.

Among his other assignments were Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, Registrar Vigilance of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Director of the J&K Judicial Academy.

Before being appointed to the High Court, he was serving as a Member of the J&K Special Tribunal in Jammu on deputation.