NEWLY sworn-in Chief Justice (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, aims to reduce the current backlog of cases in the High Court along with improving the quality of service provided by the Court Registry.Speaking with the media after a simple swearing-in ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice Cummings-Edwards told the media of her plans.

“I intend to deal with backlog cases and I intend to deal with matters affecting the Judiciary, including the slow functioning of the Judiciary, and I intend to have all hands on board for us to work together towards having a system to ensure the justice system works,” she said.
The former Justice of Appeal will perform the functions of Chief Justice (ag) as Justice Ian Chang, who was acting in the post since 2000, is on pre-retirement leave. Justice Cummings-Edwards is the second female in Guyana’s history to be appointed Chief Justice; the first being Justice Desiree Bernard, a retired judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
BACKLOG OF CASES
The Chief Justice (ag) noted that while the backlog of cases is not unique to Guyana’s judiciary, it can be fixed and requires the input of all concerned.
“Backlog is a problem that affects all judiciaries but it’s something that has to be handled consistently and by all of us. I intend for all the judges and myself to tackle the issue,” she stated.
Justice Cummings-Edwards has 27 years of legal experience. She became State Counsel in 1988 and was elevated to Senior State Counsel, then Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions. Thereafter, she was appointed Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and served as acting Director of Public Prosecutions before being appointed a High Court Judge in 2000. In 2008, she was appointed Justice of Appeal after serving eight years as a High Court Judge.
This swearing-in was witnessed by Justice Cummings-Edwards’ husband, Dr Maurice Edwards and their daughter, Dr Yana Marissa Edwards. Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and Minister of State Joseph Harmon along with the Supreme Court Registrar (ag) and retired Judge Claudette Singh.
BEST SUITED
President David Granger described Justice Cummings-Edwards as the most suitable person to act in the post of Chief Justice. “We looked at the judges, particularly the judges in the Appeal Court, and we felt that Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards was the person that could carry out the duties of Chief Justice,” the President said.

He noted that the experience of Justice Cummings-Edwards, her qualifications and the decisions she has made were all examined, “and we felt she was the most suitable when all these factors were taken into consideration”.
CONSULTATIVE PROCESS
The President has said that the consultative process was conducted completely in line with what is required by Guyana’s Constitution.
“The Constitution requires me to consult; and having considered the potential candidates, I have made my choice. I am satisfied that she is a good person to fulfill that function,” President Granger said last week.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, while not having a fundamental problem with the selection and appointment of Justice Cummings-Edwards, questioned the selection process.
“The President proposed a name, I spoke about a process, and I (said) that the elements of the process that I suggested are (1): The most senior judge should act at this point in time; and secondly, that if it’s performance-based, we should get a report from the Judicial Service Commission and people about the performance of the nominee, and compare (this) to (the performance of) others who are a part of the senior leadership of the judiciary,” Jagdeo had said.
He was, however, informed by both President Granger and Attorney General Williams that nothing in the Constitution requires the process identified by the Opposition Leader. “…and as far as I am concerned, the consultation was entirely in accordance with the Constitution,” the President said.
Granger added: “We are not looking for a permanent appointee, because acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Carl Singh, is the substantive Chief Justice; so I cannot fill a position that is already occupied. So, from the outset, we knew that the nominee would be the acting Chief Justice…. Nothing that was done today was at variance with the Constitution.”

By Ariana Gordon