President Irfaan Ali has hailed the appointment of seven judges to Guyana’s Court of Appeal as a crucial step in strengthening the institutional framework for the administration of justice. However, the move comes even as a 2023 court directive to proceed with the substantive appointments of a Chancellor and Chief Justice continues to go unheeded.
Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Roxane George-Wiltshire have been acting as Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively since 2017. In 2022, the then President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in calling for those top posts to be permanently filled, remarked: “There is one significant blot on an otherwise impressive Guyanese legal and judicial landscape. For the country to have not appointed a Chancellor for [20] long years is very disappointing; likewise, to be without an appointed Chief Justice for several years. As the President of your final court, I believe I have a right and a duty publicly to express the view that Guyana should not let this year pass and not remedy this regrettable situation.”
At a swearing-in ceremony held yesterday at the Office of the President, five of the seven newly appointed justices took their oaths: Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Navindra Singh, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Dr. Joycelin Kyte-Thomas. Justice Damone Younge and Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan are expected to be sworn in at a later date.
President Ali described the occasion as a “crucial step” in fortifying the judicial framework. He noted that the appointments, made on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, represent a continued commitment to building a stronger judiciary.“Their elevation comes at a time when the demand for efficient and expeditious appellate review is greater than ever,” the President stated. “The efficacy of any legal system is closely tied to the timeliness with which it dispenses justice.”
He underscored the importance of expanding the appellate bench to enhance case management and accelerate the resolution of matters, which he said will ultimately strengthen public trust in the justice system.
Extending his congratulations, President Ali told the newly appointed justices: “Your appointment signifies recognition not only of your competence and erudition but also of your character and the fidelity with which you have served the law. With such distinction comes a heightened responsibility—one that demands the utmost diligence, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws of the Republic.”
He reminded the judges that they will serve as arbiters in matters of legal and constitutional significance, with their rulings shaping jurisprudence and influencing the broader administration of justice in the country.
“Let your tenure on the appellate bench be marked by a commitment to the ideals of justice, fairness, and equity. May your service bring honour to the Court and inspire confidence in our judicial process,” the President said.
Despite this historic moment, the continued absence of permanent appointments for the two highest judicial offices remains a glaring issue, drawing criticism both locally and regionally. The legal community and observers have repeatedly emphasised the urgency of resolving the matter to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
