MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has confirmed that the appointment of judges to the High Court and Court of Appeal is engaging the attention of President David Granger.
His remarks came amid accusations from executive member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Anil Nandlall, of “constitutional heresy” by the President for making recommendations to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Harmon however stated that recommendations to appoint judges have to be made by the JSC and passed on to the President. “I don’t know what Mr Nandlall is talking about with the President recommending. The President has not recommended anybody; the JSC will meet and make its recommendation and as I said earlier, the President will act on those recommendations,” said the Minister of State during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday.
The JSC had advised the President in March, 2016, to appoint four judges, however, Nandlall said that the President did not act on the commission’s advice. It was reported that the body unanimously recommended in February 2016 that Justice Mr. Rishi Persaud and Justice Ms. Dawn Gregory be appointed to the Court of Appeal and Mr. Sandil Kissoon and Ms. DamoneYounge, Attorneys-at-Law, be appointed Puisne Judges