New Judges to be appointed within coming weeks -Pres. Granger

President David Granger has explained his reasons for not appointing several Judges to the Appellate and High Courts following advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

New Judges to be appointed within coming weeks    -Pres. Granger

A number of Judges are likely to be appointed in the coming weeks with the aim of reducing the current shortfall in both the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

President David Granger has explained his reasons for not appointing several Judges to the Appellate and High Courts following advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The President said his failure to withhold approval should not be seen as a refusal to appoint the persons named by the Commission.

He acknowledged that there is a shortage of Judges and said he declined to move ahead with the appointment as he awaits further advice from new Acting Chancellor Yonnette Cummings – Edwards.

“The word refuse is very strong. I withheld approval because I sent the recommendations to the present Chancellor who has agreed to look at them and resubmit a list to me,” Granger explained.

The recommendations were sent to Justice Cummings-Edwards while she held the post of Chief Justice (acting).

He said after he received the recommendations from the JSC, he also received some additional information, on the basis of which the list was sent to the then Chief Justice

The Head of State said as soon as he receives the list from the Chancellor, he will proceed with the appointments.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo had accused the President of buying time until a new commission is appointed.

Jagdeo’s office had issued a statement in which it claimed that “the Leader of the Opposition adverted to a public perception that the delay in acting upon the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission is deliberate and intended to await a differently constituted Judicial Service Commission, which may not have confidence in the recommendations of their predecessors.”

 

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