“With distinction comes heightened responsibility” – Pres Ali to 5 new CoA Judges

…urges them to tackle appeals with diligence & impartiality

Five of the seven new Court of Appeal Judges, on Wednesday took their oaths of office before President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The judges were all appointed based on the Judicial Service Commission’s recommendations and the President reminded them that theirs will be a heavy responsibility as they play their part in strengthening the judiciary.

On Wednesday, President Ali swore in Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Navindra Singh, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Dr. Kim Kyte-Thomas, at the Office of the President.
In his address to these Judges, President Ali impressed on them the immense responsibility they have as Justices of Appeal. According to the Head of State, their appointment will help alleviate the case load and enhance the speed with which cases are heard and determined.
“The Court of Appeal serves a pivotal role in reviewing appeals from decisions of the high court and ensuring that the law is applied consistently, judicially and equitably. In so doing, it contributes extensively to the preservation of the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and the maintenance of constitutional order,” President Ali said.
“The appointment of these five eminent individuals, made on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, reflects the continuing fortification of our judicial architecture. Their elevation comes at a time when the demand for expeditious appellate review is greater than ever. The efficacy of any judicial system depends on the timeliness with which it dispenses justice.”
The Head of State noted that much will be expected of these judges, as they play their part in improving the administering of justice. These expectations include diligence, impartiality and, in particular, adherence to the constitution and rule of law.
“Your ascension to the bench of the Court of Appeal represents undoubtedly one of the highest honors that can be conferred on a member of the legal profession. It signifies recognition, not only of your competence, but also of your character.”
“And the fidelity with which you have served the law thus far. However, with such distinction comes a heightened responsibility. One that demands the utmost diligence, impartiality, and fidelity to the constitution and laws of the Republic,” the president said.
President Ali further noted that in their roles as justices of appeal, they will be called upon to be arbiters in matters of legal significance. As a matter of fact, the President reminded them that their judgements will “shape jurisprudence, guide future adjudication and influence the manner in which justice is experienced and upheld in our republic.”
The remaining two justices to be appointed are Justice Damone Younge and Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan. The announcement of the new Court of Appeal Judges was made by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday. The JSC had also explained that “due to the exigencies of office and the need to address outstanding matters”, Younge and Khan would take their oaths at a later date.
These appointments follow recent updates to the Court of Appeal Act to increase the complement of judges sitting in that court from nine to eleven. Three judges preside over a case at the Appeal Court at any given time. Therefore, the complement of eleven, allows for two extra Judges to be available when one Judge is out of the jurisdiction or unavailable for some reason.
The Court of Appeal also recently benefitted from an extension to its current building at Kingston, Georgetown to prepare for these appointments. During his weekly programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that while the backlog of court cases was addressed in the High Court, “the backlog seemed to have now moved to the Court of Appeal because we had very few judges to begin with in that court, and then there were vacancies.”
Nandlall had explained that “you can have different sittings of the court at the same time because we now have an extended building. The building previously can only accommodate one sitting at a time.”
He expressed hope that these appointments can clear the backlog in the system.
He noted that while the backlog of court cases was addressed in the High Court, “the backlog seemed to have now moved to the Court of Appeal because we had very few judges to begin with in that court.”