Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Thursday the appointment of the new heads of three of Egypt's top judicial bodies, state news agency MENA said on Thursday.

El-Sisi appointed judge Hussein Abdou Khalil as head of the State Lawsuits Authority – which represents the government in legal cases – female judge Rashida Mohamed Anwar as the head of the administrative prosecution, and judge Magdy Mahmoud Taha Abul Ela as the head of the Court of Cassation – the country's top appeals court, according to the state’s official gazette.

The new heads will be replacing judges that have reached the age of retirement.

In April, El-Sisi ratified a new judicial authority law that gives the president the right to appoint the heads of the country's top judicial bodies, choosing from three nominees selected by each body.

The new law applies to the country’s top judicial bodies: the State Lawsuits Authority, the administrative prosecution, the Court of Cassation, and the State Council.

Prior to the passing of the new law, the heads of judicial bodies were selected based on seniority, with the president merely ratifying the selection.

The president is yet to appoint a new head to the State Council, which has nominated only one candidate; senior-most judge Yehia Dakrory.

According to the new judicial authority law, if the council does not submit three candidates, the president can select a head from the seven senior-most deputies.