PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, charged six newly appointed puisne judges to uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity and urgency in the delivery of justice.
Dr Ali, during his remarks, warned that public confidence in the judiciary is strained by delays and the perception that justice is available only to those who can afford to wait.
“The swearing-in of six more judges today reflects a deliberate and necessary effort to strengthen the capacity of our judiciary to meet the demands of an increasingly rights-conscious society, where citizens are more aware of their entitlements and more willing to seek judicial redress,” he said, adding:
“The executive branch has fulfilled its constitutional duty in facilitating these appointments, recognising that a well-resourced judiciary is indispensable to the rule of law.”
Those selected by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment are: Mrs Sueanna Lovell, Registrar of the Supreme Court; Ms Mandisa Breedy, attorney-at-law; Mrs Christel Lambert-Meertins, Commissioner of Title; Ms Renita Camille Singh, Commissioner of Title; Mr Sunil Scarce, Senior Magistrate; and Ms Azeena Baksh, Registrar of Deeds.
Dr Ali reminded the new judges that their authority was derived from the Constitution and that they now served as arbiters of right and wrong, guardians of fundamental freedoms, and interpreters of the law.
Outlining what he termed the attributes of the “judicial mind,” Dr Ali said judges must display discipline, fidelity to the law, independence and humility.
BACKLOG, DELAY AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
While acknowledging that courts in Guyana are challenged by significant backlogs, Dr Ali said there had been “tremendous improvement”. Nevertheless, he warned that the public remains wary of delays and that litigants were frustrated by years of waiting.
“Undue delays in the disposition of proceedings can itself constitute a denial of justice. I therefore encourage you to approach your docket with a sense of urgency. The backlog will not vanish overnight, but every case you dispose of is a citizen who receives closure,” he said, adding:
“Every judgement delivered promptly restores confidence in the system. The public deserves satisfaction that their cause has been heard and their case has been determined in a timely manner.”
The appointment of six additional puisne judges, he said, was a direct response to those challenges. However, he cautioned that the mere presence of additional judicial officers does not by itself address all the challenges.
“It is what you do with the time and resources available to you that will determine whether this moment becomes a turning point,” Dr Ali told the appointees.
The President urged the six judges to treat their caseloads with a “sense of urgency”, arguing that every matter concluded helps restore trust in the system.
“The delays must be curtailed, and the promise of timely justice must be fulfilled. Your Honors, I have every confidence that you will rise to the occasion,” he added.
He pressed them to ensure their tenures were marked by courage and efficiency in decision making.
“When you are sent to the bench, let your decisions echo through the lives of litigants, their families, and their communities; render them with courage, with clarity, and with compassion, and render them with expedition. The people have waited. The delays must be curtailed, and the promise of timely justice must be fulfilled.”