Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform and outgoing Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, believes that based on a correspondence that was sent to him by the Government, now that Justice Yonette Cummings is back from leave, she has resumed the position of Acting Chancellor and Justice Roxane George who was acting as Chancellor, should be resuming her functions as Acting Chief Justice.

Mr. Norton’s position on the issue is based on the contents of a letter addressed to him on July 10, 2025, in which the Governance Minister indicated that Justice Cummings was proceeding on leave from July 16 to October 15, 2025, and in the interim, Justice George would be appointed to the position of Acting Chancellor.

The letter stated that Justice George would be appointed to perform the functions of the Chancellor until Justice Cummings resumes her duties.

“It follows that on the resumption of duty by Justice Cummings, she will be the acting Chancellor and that Justice George will revert to being the acting Chief Justice. This is the APNU understanding of the present situation,” Norton told reporters during a virtual press conference.

However, while Justice Cummings has returned to her Chambers, Justice George has found herself operating out of the Conference Room of the High Court as Justice Navindra Singh, who was appointed Acting Chief Justice in August remains in the Chambers of the Chief Justice and is not budging from the Acting Chief Justice position.

Norton said with the return of Justice Cummings, Justice Singh should revert to his substantive post as Justice of Appeal, to make way for Justice George to take up her position as acting Chief Justice. He said the President’s letter was clear, and there is no need for clarity, nor should there be any misinterpretation of his intentions.

“It follows to me logically that on her return from leave, Justice Cummings would continue to act as Chancellor, and Justice Wiltshire [George] will be Chief Justice and revert to the status quo ante. That is my understanding,” he maintained.

Norton said so far the President has not indicated that the status quo ante was restored.

At the High Court, multiple sources have indicated that staffers and even other Judges have been left confused after noticing Justice George operating out of the Conference Room while Justice Singh remains in the Chambers of the Chief Justice.

Some Senior Government officials appear to be of the opinion that Justice George is still the Acting Chancellor as she was sworn in to that position by the President, and that appointment supersedes previous appointments.

Acting Chancellor Cummings has been performing in that position since 2017.

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