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Former Member

Impressed CCJ President offers high grades for Guyana’s Chancellor, Chief Justice

By Kurt Campbell -- kurt@newsroom.gy

Justice Adrian Saunders, the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – Guyana’s highest Court of Appeal – on Tuesday said he was impressed with the leadership in the country’s judiciary.

The statements came during a virtual launch of a revised and modernised Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers. According to Justice Saunders, Guyana’s court system continues to demonstrate its commitment to pursuing judicial excellence and being a responsive institution.

“The indications are evident and have been noticed by us at the Caribbean Court of Justice,” the Jurist noted.

To make his point, the CCJ President cited the efficient disposition of cases, elimination of backlogs, embrace and deployment of technological innovations, the premium placed on training and the employment of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

“Congratulations on a job well done.

“Guyana’s judiciary like the country itself is on the move and the signs are there for all to see,” Justice Saunders added.

He singled out Chancellor (ag) Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George for commendations in this regard.

“Their leadership has been exemplary throughout the region and beyond all locals can see the results for themselves,” the CCJ President said.

Impressed with the new code of ethics which offers an expanded definition for judicial officers, Justice Saunders said that the Global Judiciary Integrity Network is anxious to see Guyana become one of its training sites.

To this end, he noted his intention to explore the possibility of using Guyana as a model judiciary throughout the world.

Again, commendations flowed for the leadership of the judiciary for their grounded contemporary guidance.  Guyana first developed a code of ethics to guide the conduct of judicial officers both in their professional and personal lives in 2003 under the direction of the then Chancellor Justice Desiree Bernard.

“Every judiciary worth its salt needs to develop and maintain judicial ethics,” Justice Saunders posited.

But he raised objection to the castigation of the reputation of hard-working judges and magistrates across the region where some seek to create the impression that there is a serious problem of rogue judicial officers.

With his 40 years of experience in the court system across the region, the CCJ President believes he is in a fairly good position to give a firm opinion that there is a decent level of integrity that exists among the vast majority of Caribbean judges.

“It frustrates and upsets me that one still hears unproven allegations of widespread malfeasants among Caribbean judges.

“Those who peddle this view, when you confront them and seek particular details to support the damning indictment, you get…sometimes a grudging retraction,” he reasoned.

The Jurist said casting doubt on the professionalism of judges is a tool that losing litigants use to persuade themselves that their loss was unfair.

Meanwhile, in her remarks, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards said it is for this reason that judicial officers, who face ethical questions in their professional and personal lives, need to be guided by a body of values and rules.

“The Code of Ethics underscores the fact that an independent and impartial judiciary is a fundamental pillar of the rule of law and good governance,” she said.

This revised Code of Ethics captures a wider range of judicial personnel involved in the delivery and administration of justice. It expands on the range of judicial officers to include Commissioners of Title, Registrar, Deputy Registrar and Assistant Registrars.

This Code of Ethics builds on the original Code of Conduct of 2003, the Bangalore Principles, the Global Judicial Integrity Network, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and regional and international Codes of Ethics.

It has taken into account new and emerging issues such as social media and the role of judicial officers demitting office. The principles expressed in the Code of Ethics are intended to assist judicial officers with ethical and professional issues as well as give members of the public a better insight and understanding of the judicial role. It also gives an insight into judicial deliberation, when confronting ethical and professional considerations.

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Second edition of Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers launched

Oct 06, 2021 News -- Source - Kaieteur News Online -- https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...l-officers-launched/

Kaieteur News – Eighteen years after the first Code of Ethics was launched for Judicial Officers in Guyana, the second edition was yesterday launched at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.
In attendance of the launch were Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice (Ag), Roxane George; Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall; Judges, Magistrates and other members of the Judiciary.

Yesterday at the launch of the Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers.

There was also the virtual attendance of Hon. Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), who delivered the keynote address and Heads of judiciaries and Judicial Officers from across the Region.

The Code of Ethics contains principles and rules which all persons who administer justice are required to observe in their day-to-day relationship with the legal profession and the public. It also outlines the standard of ethical conduct of all judicial officers and in particular, key values by which a judicial officer is expected to live and work. They are propriety, independence, integrity, impartiality, equality and competence, and diligence.

In the Chancellor’s address, she stated that the declaration of the Code of Ethics which identifies the core values of proprietary, independence, impartiality, equality, competence and diligence is an authoritative and even legal standard of reference for judicial officers. “The code is not exhausted and it does not speak to every single situation but it gives a guide to all judicial officers and it assists them with ethical and professional considerations,” the Chancellor added.

She added that a group of officers of the Judiciary worked on the revised code of ethics. Those are: Justice Dawn Gregory, Justice Jo Ann Barlow, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Principle Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, Principle Magistrate Judy Latchman and Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. The committee was headed by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.
In closing, the Chancellor, thanked the committee for their dedication and hard work in order to complete the revised Code of Ethics.

Attorney General, Nandlall, in a Facebook post yesterday encouraged citizens to get a copy of the Code of Ethics. He also said, “This is a most enlightening development. The Judiciary, by its constitutional nature and mandate, is necessarily self-regulatory. The promulgation of this Code of Ethics is the Judiciary’s recognition that it must remain accountable, efficient, impartial, independent and professional, as these are some of the tenets embraced in the Code.”

“This Code of Ethics will certainly allow the public to scrutinise the conduct of Judicial Officers and will go a far way in building public confidence in the Judiciary which is so fundamental to the discharge of its functions.”
Click here to download the Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers, https://we.tl/t-fmYX7hsG6i

FM

Appointment of Chancellor, Chief Justice dependent on Harmon recognising Govt. as legitimate – Head of State

Aug 03, 2021 News, Source - Kaieteur News Online - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...imate-head-of-state/

Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has said that the confirmation of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice is dependent on the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, recognising his government as legitimate.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

During a press engagement yesterday to mark one year since swearing into office, the President called on Harmon to concede to the legitimacy of his government so that they can move forward with other orders of business.

“I am sure Harmon definitively knows who also the Leader of the Opposition is and who is the President so the ball is in his court to do the right thing and I’m hoping… I’m a very positive person. I’m hoping that very soon, he will stop his reckless statements about the government and do what is right in the interest of the people of Guyana,” the President said in response to questions about the delayed confirmations of the two top judicial officers.

The procedures for the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice are outlined in Article 127 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. Article 127 (1) states specifically, “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

Ali said the failure by Harmon to recognise him as legitimately elected has prevented any form of consultation. Earlier this year, the Opposition Leader made a public call on the President to confirm the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the acting Chief Justice.

Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

Back then, it was noted how regrettable it is that Guyana remains without a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice. But this has been the case during the last three presidencies in Guyana after a constitutional amendment was made to allow the two top judicial office holders to be appointed substantively by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Opposition Leader.

Currently, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards is performing the duties of Chancellor and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire is performing the duties of Chief Justice. They were both appointed by former President David Granger in 2017.

Guyana’s last substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary was Justice Desiree Bernard. She served until 2005 and was in that position before the constitution was amended.

FM
@Former Member posted:

Appointment of Chancellor, Chief Justice dependent on Harmon recognising Govt. as legitimate – Head of State

Aug 03, 2021 News, Source - Kaieteur News Online - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...imate-head-of-state/

Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has said that the confirmation of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice is dependent on the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, recognising his government as legitimate.

Back then, it was noted how regrettable it is that Guyana remains without a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice. But this has been the case during the last three presidencies in Guyana after a constitutional amendment was made to allow the two top judicial office holders to be appointed substantively by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Opposition Leader.
Currently, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards is performing the duties of Chancellor and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire is performing the duties of Chief Justice. They were both appointed by former President David Granger in 2017.

Perhaps, David Granger was asleep since 2017 to pursue the process for the substantive appointments for the Chancellor and Chief Justice.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
@Former Member posted:

Perhaps, David Granger was asleep since 2017 to pursue the process for the substantive appointments for the Chancellor and Chief Justice.

you clearly don't know what you're talking about, no surprises there

oh, that recognition thing again

what an insecure lot of jellies they are

lol

S
@Spugum posted:

now go and tell your ppp to CONFIRM THEM. no longer should we see (ag) after their names. the opposition has call for them to be confirmed so yuh boys should do it now, shouldn't they?

Why would you rush to confirm a judge who ruled in the past that 33 is not the majority of 65 to give PNC leaches over two years to squat in office like parasites on the nation’s teats? So that she can create some mischief to benefit the bloodsuckers again, right? Keep on dreaming…hahahahaha [maniacal laughter]

sachin_05
@sachin_05 posted:

Why would you rush to confirm a judge who ruled in the past that 33 is not the majority of 65 to give PNC leaches over two years to squat in office like parasites on the nation’s teats? So that she can create some mischief to benefit the bloodsuckers again, right? Keep on dreaming…hahahahaha [maniacal laughter]

well justice saunders had high praise for them. he knows something about the quality of judges i should think

you have to look at the mansions and expensive cars acquired by those that didn't have a pot to piss in a mere few years ago to make judgements about leaches and parasites

S

Let's see here. Granger not recognizing the PPP as the govt is holding up the confirmations yet he (Ali) goes to the states and made a press conference as President of Guyana with he and BJ sounding like bumbling buttheads.

He should have told them that Granger does not recognize him so he cannot take the stage.

cain
Last edited by cain
@cain posted:

Let's see here. Granger not recognizing the PPP as the govt is holding up the confirmations yet he (Ali) goes to the states and made a press conference as President of Guyana with he and BJ sounding like bumbling buttheads.

He should have told them that Granger does not recognize him so he cannot take the stage.

they use that crap conveniently as is clearly the case

S

In the Chancellor’s address, she stated that the declaration of the Code of Ethics which identifies the core values of proprietary, independence, impartiality, equality, competence and diligence is an authoritative and even legal standard of reference for judicial officers. “The code is not exhausted and it does not speak to every single situation but it gives a guide to all judicial officers and it assists them with ethical and professional considerations,” the Chancellor added.

Did the Chancellor actually say that the code is not exhausted?  That is reported as a direct quote.

T

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