The Right Honourable Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin Sebli was born on 25 January 1959 in Sibu, Sarawak. His Lordship obtained his Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree from the University of Malaya in 1983. Upon graduation His Lordship joined the Judicial and Legal Service of Malaysia in December 1983.
His Lordship had served in various capacities in the Judicial and Legal Service of the Government of Malaysia. Among the posts that His Lordship had held were that of Deputy Public Prosecutor in the State of Sarawak, in the State of Pahang and in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Senior Legal Officer at the Sarawak State Attorney-General’s Chambers, Sessions Court Judge at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Sessions Court Judge at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Sessions Court Judge at Miri, Sarawak, State Legal Advisor to the State of Pahang, and Director, Legal Division of the Royal Malaysian Customs, Putrajaya.
On 15 September 2008, His Lordship was appointed as Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. On 9 August 2010, His Lordship was elevated to the position of Judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. His Lordship then served at the Kota Kinabalu High Court, Sabah, the Shah Alam High Court, Selangor, the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Federal Territory and the Johor Bahru High Court, Johor prior to His Lordship’s elevation to the Court of Appeal on 12 September 2014.
On 8 August 2019 His Lordship was elevated to the position of Judge of the Federal Court and on 17 January 2023 His Lordship was appointed as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
In recognition of His Lordship’s service to the State of Pahang, His Lordship was conferred the award of Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (D.I.M.P.) which carries the honorific title “Dato’” by the Sultan of Pahang in 2003. On 5 June 2023, His Lordship was conferred the award of Panglima Setia Mahkota (P.S.M.) which carries the honorific title “Tan Sri” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. His Lordship is married to Puan Sri Sarbanun binti Mokhtar and is blessed with seven children.
