Judges face considerable pressure from the executive and the military and have received threats for making unfavourable decisions.
There are also credible accounts of both assassination attempts and actual murder of judges in areas under Maoist control. The ordinary court system has been destabilized by the creation of special courts beyond its supervision, including military tribunals and Maoist “peoples courts”.
The competence and integrity of the judiciary is questionable, particularly in subordinate courts, and there are high levels of corruption. The legal profession is unable to function independently and lawyers face persecution and physical danger. Due process and fair trial rights are severely undermined by anti-terrorist legislation.
Nepal-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)