Article 273 — Jurisdiction of the National House of Chiefs

(1) The National House of Chiefs shall have appella te jurisdiction in any cause or matter affecting chieftaincy which has been determined by the Regional House of Chiefs in a region, from which appellate jurisdiction there shall be an appeal to the Supreme Court, with the leave of the National House of Chiefs, or the Supre me Court. (2) The appellate jurisdiction of the National Hous e of Chiefs shall be exercised by a Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs consistin g of five persons appointed by that House from among its members. (3) A Judicial Committee of a National House of Chi efs shall be assisted by a lawyer of not less than ten years’ standing appointed by the Nati onal House of Chiefs on the recomendation of the Attorney-General. (4) A member of a Judicial Committee of the Nationa l House of Chiefs shall be removed from office on the ground of proven misbehaviour or of i nfirmity of mind or body by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the National House of Chiefs. (5) A Judicial Committee of the National House of C hiefs shall have original jurisdiction in any cause or matter affecting chieftaincy— (a) which lies within the competence of two or more Regional Houses of Chiefs; or (b) which is not properly within the jurisdiction o f a Regional House of Chiefs; or (c) which cannot otherwise be dealt with by a Regio nal House of Chiefs. (6) An appeal shall lie as of right in respect of a ny cause or matter dealt with by a Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs under cla use (5) of this article to the Supreme Court.