Former Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary in Guyana, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

She is now the third woman to be appointed to the position in the Turks and Caicos.

The announcement was made by the Governor of the Turks and Caicos, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, who noted that Justice Cummings-Edwards brings over 37 years of experience across the judiciary, having served at the highest levels in Guyana, including as Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and Acting Chief Justice.

Justice Cummings-Edwards will officially assume office on May 1, 2026. Her pre-retirement leave as Acting Chancellor of Guyana ended on the 31st March, 2026.

In a statement, the Office of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands said the new Chief Justice has led significant judicial modernisation initiatives including the digitisation of Court systems, strengthening of case management processes and expanding access to justice, particularly for remote and underserved communities.

It was also noted that Justice Cummings-Edwards has also been instrumental in advancing specialised Courts and restorative approaches to justice, while championing judicial training and institutional capacity building. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to judicial independence, integrity and the efficient administration of justice.

The Governor of Turks and Caicos said “this appointment follows a rigorous and highly competitive process, from which Hon. Justice Cummings-Edwards emerged as an exceptional candidate. I am confident that her extensive judicial experience, demonstrated leadership and unwavering commitment to the rule of law will be instrumental in further strengthening the administration of justice and enhancing public confidence in our judicial system.”

In accepting the appointment, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said she is honoured to be appointed Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands and grateful for the confidence placed in her, adding that she looks forward to working collaboratively with her judicial colleagues, the legal profession and justice-sector partners to build on the strong foundation established and to further strengthen the delivery of justice in a manner that is fair, efficient and accessible to all.

“I remain committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the people of these Islands with integrity and dedication”, she said.

The appointment of Justice Cummings-Edwards as the Chief Justice of Turks and Caicos was made on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A statement from the Governor’s Office said the appointment represents another significant moment in the judicial history of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as it also brings the second Caribbean woman to the post, (the first being Jamaican Margaret Ramsay-Hale) which underscores a continuing shift toward greater regional and gender representation at the highest level of the Judiciary.

Justice Cummings-Edwards served in the position of Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary in Guyana from 2017 up until October 2025.

Back in October, Justice Cummings-Edwards returned from two months of vacation leave, but it was announced the same week that she would have been proceeding on pre-retirement leave, as the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George remained in the position of Acting Chancellor and Justice Navindra Singh remained in the post of Acting Chief Justice.

When Justice Cummings-Edwards returned from her vacation leave, there were no moves to have her fully return to the job of Acting Chancellor.

It was later announced that she had opted for an early retirement, although it was suspected that she had been forced out of the position.

Justice Roxane George continues in the position of Acting Chancellor and Justice Navindra Singh remains the Acting Chief Justice in Guyana.

Related posts:

Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings returns to work President makes temporary appointments of Justice George as Acting Chancellor and Justice Singh as Acting Chief Justice Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards moves up to Acting Chancellor and Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire is new Acting Chief Justice Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards to perform functions of Chief Justice