Appointments to vacant judicial posts will be made soon – Chancellor assures

Interviews for vacant positions in the Judiciary and Magistracy have begun at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), according to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.
The JSC had released job postings for the open positions at the end of last year. It is the constitutional body tasked with managing matters pertaining to the appointment, discipline, removal, and promotion of judicial officers. The Chancellor sits as Chairman of the Commission.
Speaking recently on the recruitment process, Justice Cummings-Edwards said, “We are pleased to say that, after advertisements, the next step has been interviews. Interviews have been conducted. Interviews are for the position of Magistrates. Interviews are going on again this month, and you will soon see appointments to various positions.”
For the Supreme Court of Judicature, which consists of the High Courts in each of the three counties and the Court of Appeal, the JSC is looking to appoint Puisne Judges, Commissioners of Title (Land Court Judges), and a Deputy Registrar for the High Court in Berbice.
The Commission is also looking to appoint Magistrates for the various Magisterial Districts.
After a six-year hiatus, the members of the JSC took their oaths of office before President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on July 14, 2023. Besides the Chancellor, the other appointed members are: Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh; and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Justice Beasraj Singh Roy. Each member of the JSC will hold office for three years.
The Chancellor expressed that the judiciary is “deeply grateful” to President Ali for reconvening this very important Commission to help the court in the discharge of its functions.
Since the reformation of the JSC, Justice Cummings-Edwards said, its members have been tackling the backlog in cases and staff matters.
“It is obvious that after an absence of the Commission, there would have been lots of outstanding work. The members have been working assiduously to build the secretariat and to create positions for the better functioning of the judiciary,” she explained.
A Puisne Judge shall hold office until he/she attains 65 years, and the basic salary for this position is $1,425,065 monthly, along with allowance. A Land Court Judge holds office until he/she reaches 55, and is paid $1,167,923 monthly, together with allowances.
A Magistrate shall hold office until he/she attains the age of 55. Salary and benefits include a total basic salary of $880,885 per month plus allowances. The Deputy Registrar will remain in office until the age of 55. The position’s total base pay is $754,284 a month, and also includes allowances.
Persons appointed will be required to serve a probationary period of at least six months. On satisfactory completion of the period of probation, the appointee will be confirmed.
Reports state that an additional advertisement will be made for Appeal Court Judges, of which there are now just three in office, despite the law providing for nine.
Given the small number of judicial officers and the growing workload, there had been rising calls for the JSC to be established prior to its official appointment.
This Commission is responsible for advising the President on the appointment of Judges, with the exception of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice. The JSC’s powers also include the power to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices: Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of Deeds, and to such offices connected with the courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament. (G1)