– Acting Chancellor, Chief Justice sworn in

PRESIDENT David Granger has noted that as soon as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)

makes its recommendation on the appointment of Judges to the Court of Appeal, he will move ahead with the process.

The President made this disclosure on the sideline of the swearing in ceremony at State House for Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire.
He said once the JSC meets and a recommendation is made, he will respond appropriately with the aim of filling the vacancies as quickly as possible. Currently, the Court of Appeal is short of at least two Judges.
“I am confident that the new Chancellor is aware of the shortages and…as quickly as the JSC can meet and the names are submitted to me, I intend to move ahead,” the President told reporters.

President Granger made it clear that he has “no interest in perpetuating a situation in which there are insufficient Judges,” noting that the swearing in of the acting Chancellor and Chief Justice is a step in the right direction.

“The crisis will resolve itself in a few days or weeks. It’s up to the JSC now,” he said.
However, the President acknowledged that he had withheld his approval from prior recommendations made by the JSC for the appointment of Judges to the High Court.
The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had said that the shortage of Judges was affecting the Administration of Justice to the detriment of citizens. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo had also contended that the President had refused to act on the recommendations of the JSC.

“We are aware that there are dire shortages of Judges in the judicial system. We are also aware, that the Judicial Service Commission has made recommendations to the President for the appointment of several judges to the High Court and the Court of Appeal several months ago. But to date no such appointment has been made. A reasonable inference that one can draw is that the nominees of the JSC do not meet the approval of the Executive. This is quite unfortunate because the approval of the Executive of the nominees for the JSC is not a Constitutional requirement,” the PPP had stated.

However, President Granger said he had withheld his approval based on information received and as such sought further advice from the present Chancellor.
“I withheld approval because I sent the recommendations to the present Chancellor who has agreed to look at them and resubmit the list to me,” he explained. President Granger said he is awaiting Justice Cummings-Edwards’ response.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Commenting on the appointment of Judges to the Court of Appeal, Justice Cummings-Edwards said she will hit the ground running.
“A meeting of the members of the JSC will be convened shortly and we will address that matter,” she posited.

The Acting Chancellor noted that the complement of Judges required at the Court of Appeal is five, however currently there are three Judges but one is on pre-retirement leave.
“Right now with the swearing in today with Justice George we have two…Justice Roy is the third Judge but he is on pre-retirement leave so in effect there are only two Judges,” she explained.

The Acting Chancellor noted that it takes three or more Judges to hear an appeal while an application could be heard by a single Judge in Chambers.
Meanwhile, during the swearing-in ceremony, President Granger congratulated Justice Cummings-Edwards and Justice George-Wiltshire and noted that they have satisfied the requirements of the Constitution.
Pointing out that the offices are the most senior in Guyana’s Judiciary, President Granger called on the Judicial Officers to uphold the high traditions and standards of the Offices.