Berbice Bar Association calls for reassignment of Commissioner of Title

The Berbice Bar Association has called for the immediate reassignment of Commissioner of Title, citing concerns over the handling of land-title matters and a longstanding backlog in Berbice. The Association made the request in a letter addressed to Registrar of the Supreme Court and acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh. In the complaint, the Association alleged that the commissioner “has not granted a single petition since she was assigned to Berbice.” Attorneys who spoke separately with this publication also claimed that no land-title petitions had been granted over the past two years, and said this was not the situation before. The lawyers provided examples of requirements they said applicants are being asked to satisfy before their petitions can be granted. According to some attorneys, clients who cultivated vegetables on lands for which they were seeking title were asked to produce receipts showing the sale of vegetables grown on those lands. In other cases, attorneys claimed applicants were told they did not have enough trees planted on their lands for titles to be granted. The lawyers described some of the requirements as “ridiculous requests.” One attorney said some petitioners have occupied house lots and constructed buildings on the properties decades ago but remain unable to obtain transports. The attorney said some of those applicants are now in their 70s and 80s and expressed concern that they could die without obtaining transport for what the lawyer described as legitimate, unopposed claims.
In its latest correspondence, the Bar Association said frustration among attorneys and litigants was mounting. “This a very disturbing and troubling situation. Frustration at the Bar and amongst litigants is boiling over,” the Association stated.
The Association also raised concerns about an approximately five-year backlog and alleged that the manner in which it is being addressed has resulted in petitions being dismissed or withdrawn. It also questioned the Commissioner’s approach to possession. The latest letter referred to previous correspondence sent to the acting Chief Justice, stating: “Since our last correspondence the situation has not improved.” That earlier letter, dated August 27, 2025, sought a meeting with the acting Chief Justice to discuss issues affecting lawyers and litigants in Berbice.
At the time, the Association said Berbice had been without a sitting Land Court judge or Commissioner of Title for approximately five years, resulting in a significant backlog. The Bar noted that two Commissioners were appointed to sit in Berbice in April 2024 and said it was grateful for the development. However, the Association subsequently raised concerns about how the backlog was being addressed, including what it described as too many matters being listed in a given week, inadequate notice of fixtures and a lack of consultation with attorneys before matters were fixed. The Bar also complained about what it described as an onerous burden being placed on litigants seeking to prove unopposed petitions. “This has resulted in great prejudice to the litigants and the dispensation of justice. Attorneys are presented with no alternative but to withdraw petitions that have been pending for years,” the August 2025 letter stated. The Association has now asked that the Commissioner be reassigned. The latest correspondence was copied to Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and the Judicial Service Commission. Attempts were made to obtain a response regarding the concerns raised by the Berbice Bar Association, but those attempts were unsuccessful.