GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Kamal Ramkarran, President of the Guyana Bar Affiliation, on Tuesday known as for the affirmation of the positions of the Chancellor and Chief Justice, saying that the individuals at present appearing in these positions “must be confirmed as quickly as doable.”
Regardless of calls from successive presidents of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court docket of Justice (CCJ) for the positions to be crammed, the appointments of appearing Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings, and appearing Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire haven’t but turn out to be a actuality.
In April 2022, CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders, addressing a dinner culminating the inaugural Legislation Week in Guyana, mentioned,” For the nation to haven’t appointed a Chancellor for 17 lengthy years could be very disappointing; likewise, to be with out an appointed Chief Justice for a number of years.
“Because the President of your ultimate court docket, I imagine I’ve a proper and an obligation publicly to specific the view that Guyana mustn’t let this 12 months cross and never treatment this regrettable scenario,” he mentioned then.
Beneath the Guyana Structure, the President and the Opposition Chief should agree on the appointment to the 2 key judicial posts.
Opposition Chief Aubrey Norton has already formally instructed President Irfaan Ali that he helps the substantive appointment of these two senior members of the Judiciary. Article 127(1) of Guyana’s Structure gives for the Opposition Chief’s approval.
President Irfaan Ali and Legal professional Normal Anil Nandlall haven’t supplied a purpose for the appointment delay.
“The method is just not sophisticated. There isn’t any purpose that we must be right here 20 years later and not using a Chancellor and Chief Justice, and that is one thing that nobody ought to settle for. Not by the Judiciary, not by the individuals of Guyana, not by the legal professionals, by nobody”, Ramkarran mentioned as he addressed the opening of the 2025 Legislation Yr, saying it’s time to convey an finish to the considerably lengthy scenario of no substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice.
He instructed the ceremony that Justices Cummings and George-Wiltshire “are the individuals who must be confirmed of their positions, and it ought to occur as quickly as doable.”
“The scenario is untenable and unacceptable, and it isn’t one thing we are able to proceed to occur,” Ramkarran mentioned.
“There isn’t any purpose that we must be right here 20 years later and not using a Chancellor or CJ. That is one thing that anybody ought to settle for,” he mentioned, reiterating that the 2 appearing justices, who’ve served the Judiciary with distinction, are greater than certified to be confirmed for the positions they at present occupy.
For the reason that constitutional modification 2001, Guyana has been and not using a everlasting Chancellor or Chief Justice.
