The Alliance for Change (AFC) has extended congratulations to former acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, on her appointment as Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands, describing the development as both a personal milestone and a significant loss for Guyana’s justice system.
In a press release dated April 2, 2026, the party praised her decades of service, stating, “In the face of adversity, former Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards stood tall. For over 37 years, she embodied the true spirit of equity, that no injustice should go unanswered and that fairness must always prevail.” The AFC noted that her appointment follows challenges surrounding her departure from office, adding, “In the end, that very spirit stood in her defense, even amid the circumstances surrounding her departure following her return from leave.”
Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment was announced by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam after a competitive selection process, marking a significant regional elevation for the veteran jurist. She is expected to assume office on May 1, 2026, for a three-year term, with officials highlighting her track record in modernising court systems, improving case management, and expanding access to justice. In accepting the role, she expressed her commitment to working with judicial colleagues and stakeholders to strengthen the delivery of justice while upholding the rule of law and serving with integrity.
A distinguished Guyanese jurist with more than three decades of service, Justice Cummings-Edwards began her career in 1988 as a State Counsel in the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She rose through the ranks to serve as Senior State Counsel, Deputy Director, and Acting Director of Public Prosecutions before being appointed a High Court Judge in 2000 and later a Justice of Appeal in 2008. She subsequently served as Acting Chief Justice in 2015 and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary in 2017, becoming one of the most senior judicial figures in the country.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School, she also holds a Master of Laws from the University of London. Over her career, she has been widely recognised for her commitment to judicial independence, legal reform, and improving access to justice, earning national honours including the Cacique Crown of Honour and the Order of Roraima. The AFC said her departure represents “a significant loss,” describing her as “a distinguished jurist, one who stood as a symbol of fairness, integrity, and true justice,” while extending best wishes for her continued success in her new role
