Five Justices of Appeal take oath of office; Two others to be sworn in

By Svetlana Marshall

Five Justices of Appeal were sworn in today by President Irfaan Ali. The President said it was a necessary move to strengthen the country’s judicial framework and reduce the case load at the Court of Appeal.

Those who took the oath of office today were Justice Navendra Singh, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Attorney-at-Law Kim Kyte-Thomas. They were appointed based on the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Justice Damone Younge and Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan, who were also appointed as Justices of Appeal, will take their oath of office at a later date.

President Ali said the appointment of the appellate judges is a vital step in strengthening the institutional framework of the administration of justice in the country.

Firmly rooted in the Constitution, the Court of Appeal serves a pivotal role in reviewing appeals from decisions and orders of the High Court, the President noted.

He said the Appellate Court ensures that the law is applied consistently, judiciously, and equitably, and doing so contributes to the preservation of the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights, and the maintenance of constitutional order.

“The appointment of these five eminent individuals, made on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, reflects the continuing fortification of our judicial architecture. Their elevation comes at a time when the demand for efficient and expeditious appellate review is greater than ever. The efficacy of any legal system is closely tied to the timeliness with which it dispenses justice. In this regard, the expansion of the complement of appellate judges is both timely and necessary. It will facilitate more efficient management of the appellate caseload and allow for the speedier resolution of matters, thereby enhancing public confidence in the judicial process,” the Head of State said.

While offering his congratulations, the President told the new appellate judges that the nation expects the highest standards of judicial decorum and ethical rectitude.

“With such distinction comes a heightened responsibility—one that demands the utmost diligence, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws of the Republic. As Justices of Appeal, will be called upon to be arbiters in many matters of legal significance. Your pronouncements will shape jurisprudence, guide future adjudication, and influence the manner in which justice is experienced and upheld in our Republic,” President Ali said.

He said objectivity, unremitting impartiality, and an unassailable integrity are required in the execution of their mandate.

“Objectivity ensures that judgments are grounded solely in the merits of the case and the applicable legal principles, devoid of personal or extraneous considerations. Judicial impartiality is the bulwark of a free and democratic society—it must be guarded zealously and exercised without fear or favour. Integrity remains the foundation of a judiciary that commands respect, legitimacy, and public confidence,” President Ali explained.

The Justices of Appeal were appointed in accordance with Article 128 (1) of the Constitution. They will complement the three already confirmed Justices of Appeal.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings; Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh and Members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) were among officials who witnessed the swearing in of the new Appeal Court Judges this morning.