President says elevation to Court of Appeal judgeship requires constitutional “fidelity”, “unassailable integrity”

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 22:21 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday swore in five of seven Justices of Appeal, saying they are expected to obey Guyana’s Constitution and laws.

“With such distinction comes a heightened responsibility, one demands the utmost diligence, impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution and laws of the Republic,” he said in remarks after he administered their oaths of office.

The five, who were sworn in, were Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Navindra Singh, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Attorney-at-Law Dr. Joycelin Kyte-Thomas .

Justice Damon Younge and Attorney-at-Law Rafiq Khan would be sworn in at a later date.

Dr Ali told the Justices of Appeal that in the discharge of “your exalted responsibilities”, the nation expects that “you shall at all times exemplify the highest standards of judicial decorum and ethical behavior. You’re expected to bring to your office, scrupulous attention to detail, objectivity, impartiality and an unassailable integrity.”

The Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and then Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall are on record as expressing their concern about several decisions in political cases by the Guyana Court of Appeal.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had overturned most local appellate court decisions and upheld the Guyana High Court decisions.

The Guyanese leader said the appointment of the five judges on Wednesday, made on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, reflects the continuing fortification of Guyana’s judicial architecture.

“Their elevation comes at a time when the demand for efficient and expeditious appellate review is greater than ever,” he said.

President Ali also said the appointment of the judges was a “vital step” for Guyana’s judiciary.

“This event constitutes not only a significant moment in the professional lives of the appointees, but also a vital step in strengthening the institutional framework of the administration of justice in our country,” he said.

The President is yet to confirm Ms Yonette Cummings as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Mrs Roxane George-Wiltshire as Chief Justice, despite the fact they have been acting in those positions for several years.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has publicly and officially to the President said he would be supporting the confirmation of those judges in keeping with Guyana’s Constitution.

Current and former presidents of the Trinidad-headquartered CCJ have frowned on Guyana’s failure to substantively appoint persons to those two top judiciary positions.

Dr Ali said the Court of Appeal serves a pivotal role in reviewing appeals from decisions and orders of the High Court and ensuring that the law is applied “consistently, judiciously and equitably”.

“In so doing, it contributes indispensably to the preservation of the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and the maintenance of constitutional order,” he said.

The Court of Appeal Act was amended last month t0 provide for an increase in the number of Justices of Appeal from nine to 11.