“Huge workload ahead” as Commissioners of Title appointed for Berbice, Essequibo

The judicial sector in Guyana has been bolstered with the appointment of three new Commissioners of Title, who will be posted to serve in the Land Courts at Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and at Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The newly appointed Commissioners selected by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to service the judiciary are Magistrate Renita Singh, Magistrate Esther Sam, and Magistrate Christel Lambert. They took their Oaths of Office during a simple ceremony on Friday before Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips at the Office of the Prime Minister, as is required by the law.
It was noted that these long-awaited appointments were made by the JSC after inviting applicants by public advertisements. Following interviews and careful scrutiny, the Commission identified these three new judicial officers to serve in the posts at the Berbice and Essequibo Land Courts.
Chair of the JSC, acting Chancellor Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, explained that this is the first time that Essequibo would have a resident Commissioner of Title. Additionally, after more than a decade, the vacant post in Berbice will be filled with not just one, but two Commissioners of Title.

“[This] says quite a lot for the Judiciary of Guyana, our expansion, the amount of work that we’re doing, and our vision to have access to justice, having more persons being able to access the services which the Supreme Court offers,” Justice Cummings-Edwards stated.
According to the Chancellor, these three new judicial officers, who are coming from the magistracy in Bartica, Essequibo and Berbice, are aware of the massive task ahead of them, and are ready to take it on.
“Given the length of time since these posts have not been filled, there is a huge workload ahead, and our three judicial officers will be tasked with lots of responsibilities and work in the Land Court. They’ve all assured us that they are ready, willing and able to carry out their roles and to take up the mantle as Commissioners of Title,” Justice Cummings-Edwards noted.

Fairness,
objectivity and efficiency
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Phillips, during his remarks at the swearing-in ceremony, emphasised the importance of fairness, objectivity and efficiency in administering justice.
“We expect you to serve well the people of Guyana in your new office. While we collectively expect a high degree of fairness in your legal decision-making, expediency is of equal importance, as this seems to be the common concern expressed by our citizens – having to wait too long for conclusion of legal matters in our Administration of Justice System,” he highlighted.
The Prime Minister congratulated the new commissioners, and reiterated the Government’s dedication to enhancing access to justice.
“As a Government, we remain committed to supporting all the programmes and projects associated with improving the Administration of Justice in Guyana – be it new building of courts; appointing new judges, new magistrates, new commissioners of title. All that is associated with improving the effectiveness and efficiency in the administration of justice, our government remains committed to,” PM Phillips posited.

Critical vacancies
Present at Friday’s swearing-in ceremony was Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC; Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, CCH, SC; retired Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, as well as several other officials from the legal fraternity.
AG Nandlall has lauded these new appointments by the JSC, saying that they will fill key and critical vacancies that have existed in the system for a very long time.
“Berbice has been without a Commissioner of Title for a number of years. No doubt, a backlog of cases would have accumulated. Hopefully, with two Commissioners of Title being assigned, this backlog would be tackled aggressively,” the Attorney General stated.
Back in January, Nandlall had disclosed that efforts were underway to have several magistrates and judges appointed to fill vacancies within the magistracy and judiciary.
During his presentation in the 2024 Budget debates, the Legal Affairs Minister told the National Assembly that two Commissioners of Title would be appointed this year, along with six Justices of Appeal and nine Puisne Judges in the High Court. The AG had mentioned, too, that at least 10 magistrates will be appointed this year, bringing the total magistrates to 29.
Additionally, he announced that new posts have also been created within the magistracy to accommodate the large intake of cases. One of these new posts created is that of Deputy Chief Magistrate.
Only last month, the JSC appointed nine temporary magistrates to help ease the burden and clear the backlog of cases within the magistracy.
The reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission in July 2023 paved the way for these critical judicial appointments to be made.
The new JSC was appointed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on July 14, 2023. The Commission members are Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; Retired Justice Carl Singh and Retired Justice Beasraj Singh (BS) Roy. The Chancellor sits as Chairperson of the Commission.