Gavels Up to ten Jamaica Judges on January 4, 2019

(Article Adapted from JIS website)

Ten judges were sworn in January 4, to serve in higher positions in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The judges are Hilary Phillips, who will act as President, Court of Appeal, effective January 21, 2019; Jennifer Straw, Carol Edwards and Nicole Foster Pusey, who have been appointed to serve as Judges of the Court of Appeal, effective January 14, 2019; and David Fraser, who has been appointed to act as Judge of the Court of Appeal, effective January 21, 2019.

Also taking the oath of office were Lisa Palmer Hamilton, Andrea Thomas, and Judith Pusey, who have been appointed Puisne Judges; Sheron Barnes, who has been appointed to act as Puisne Judge, and Tania Mott Tulloch-Reid, who has been appointed to act as Master-in-Chambers. Their appointments will become effective on January 7, 2019.

They were sworn in by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House.

Congratulating the new appointees, the Governor-General reminded them that they are integral in enhancing the quality of lives of Jamaicans and should carry out their duties with integrity.

“There is no facet of our lives, whether in families, communities, government, industry or labour, that is beyond the reach of the rule of law and the efficient exercise of the judicial process,” he said.

The Governor-General said the country’s judiciary functions in a way that encourages the appreciation of a sense of orderliness.

“It exemplifies and promotes integrity and celebrates excellence. Our judiciary has built a reputation of which we are all proud, and its members serve with distinction,” he said.

The Governor-General encouraged the new appointees to continue to serve with distinction, while upholding the rule of law.

“I pray that strength and wisdom will sustain you throughout your service. I am sure you will live up to the expectations shared by all who know of your professionalism and your record of work,” he said.

For his part, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice C. Dennis Morrison, said the unusually large number of appointees reflect, for the most part, no more than an accident of timing rather than an indication of a wholesale changing of the guard.

“But, it also represents the infusion of fresh talent into a system that must, like any other, benefit from new ideas and ways of seeing the world. Each of the persons sworn in is specially qualified in his or her own way to hold the high office to which they have been appointed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice, Bryan Sykes, welcomed the new judges, noting that they will assist in making the judicial system of Jamaica become the best in the region within three years and one of the best in the world in the next six years.

In her response, Justice Hillary Phillips pledged, on behalf of her colleagues, to continue to give of their best.

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