THE PRIVY COUNCIL in England has endorsed the decision of an inquiry commission to dismiss a judge of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for “serious misconduct”. Recommendation for the removal from office of Justice Priya Levers was made by a tribunal on which Barbados’ former Chief Justice, Sir David Simmons, was one of three members,
Headed by Sir Andrew Leggat, and including also Sir Philip Otton, both former judges of the Court of Appeal in England, the tribunal was established in 2008 by Governor of the Cayman Islands, Stuart Jack, to probe controversial behaviour by Madam Justice Levers.
Last week, on July 29, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in unanimously endorsing the tribunal’s dismissal recommendation of judge Levers, noted, among other charges, that:
“She had been guilty in court of completely inexcusable conduct that has given the appearance of racism, bias against foreigners, and bias in favour of the defence in criminal cases…:
Governor Jack was moved to appoint the commission amid controversies over judgements by Justice Levers and with court reporters being among complainants against her conduct in referenced criminal cases.
In his 45-page judgement on behalf of the seven-member Privy Council, the President, Lord Phillips, described Justice Levers’ behaviour as “unacceptable”. and in respect to three specific cases, amounted “to serious misconduct”.
Justice Levers is a Sri Lankan citizen by birth who has practised at the bar in Sri Lanka, England and Jamaica. Married to a Jamaican, she was appointed in 2003 as a judge of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.