IN a historic and unprecedented move aimed at bolstering the efficiency and output of the criminal justice system, there are fives judges presiding over the July-September 2024 Demerara Criminal Assizes.
This marks the first time in history that so many judges have been assigned. The five judges assigned to this session are Navindra Singh, Jo-Ann Barlow, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, Peter Hugh, and Zamilla Ally-Seepaul. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise to the bench.

Previously, the Demerara Criminal Assizes operated with three judges until June 2020.
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of the Criminal Assizes across all three counties from the end of June 2020 until October 2020. When proceedings resumed in October 2020, the number of presiding judges in Demerara fluctuated between two and three.

In January 2022, the court reverted to three criminal courts again until July 2024, when five judges were assigned. The appointment of 10 new puisne judges in June 2024 has made it possible to assign five judges to preside over criminal matters in the County of Demerara.
Over the next few weeks, the rostered judges will consider cases involving various offences, including murder, sexual matters, and manslaughter. A total of 234 cases are listed for trial.
The Demerara Criminal Assizes are held four times per year at the High Court in Georgetown.