JSC advertises for Chief Magistrate, Commissioner of Title

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is inviting “suitably qualified persons” to apply for the positions of Chief Magistrate and Commissioner of Title.
In a vacancy notice published in today’s edition of Guyana Times, it was noted that applicants for the Chief Magistrate post must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Legal Education Certificate; be qualified to practise law in Guyana and have general knowledge of the Laws of Guyana; and have at least 12 years’ practice as an Attorney-at-Law in Guyana or any Commonwealth jurisdiction; or have experience as a principal magistrate.
“Applicants are expected to have knowledge and experience in criminal practice and procedure. Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership and management competencies and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Applicants are also expected to possess a high level of personal integrity and impartiality. If successful, applicants are expected to subscribe to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers,” the notice detailed.
For the Commissioner of Title position, applicants must be an Attorney-at-Law admitted to practise law in Guyana or any Commonwealth country with at least seven years’ experience.
These positions became vacant earlier this year after the then Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, was appointed a Puisne Judge alongside Commissioners of Title and Judges of the Land Court, Nicola Pierre and Priscilla Chandra-Hanif.
Guyana Times had reported their appointment back in April before 10 new Judges were sworn in before President Dr Irfaan Ali in June of this year to tackle the backlog of cases in the High Court.
In January, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had disclosed that at least nine Puisne Judges were going to be appointed in the High Court this year along with two Commissioners of Title and six Justices of Appeal.
During his presentation in the 2024 Budget debate back in January, Nandlall had disclosed that at least 10 Magistrates will be appointed this year, bringing the total number to 29. Additionally, the Legal Affairs Minister had also announced that new posts have also been created within the magistracy to accommodate the large intake of cases. One of these new posts was Deputy Chief Magistrate.
Already, nine new Magistrates were sworn in back in February, while in April, 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) were sworn in.
The Attorney General had noted that the reconstitution of the JSC in July 2023 paved the way for these critical judicial appointments to be made. (G8)