After a months-long hiatus, the members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) were yesterday sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Justice of Appeal Ian Chang also took the oath as Acting Chief Justice.
During a simple ceremony at the Office of the President, Justice Chang; Chief Justice and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh; retired justice Prem Persaud and attorney-at-law Brynmore Pollard were sworn in as members of the JSC.
The members of the JSC were agreed following a recent meeting between President Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin.
However, the two leaders failed to break a deadlock on the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Judiciary. Consultations between President Jagdeo and Corbin on this issue began in 2005.
As a result of the continuing stalemate on the position of Chancellor, President Jagdeo decided to appoint Justice Chang to act as Chief Justice.
The substantive Chief Justice, Justice Singh was previously sworn in to act as Chancellor.
Corbin had favoured Justice of Appeal Claudette Singh for the position of Chancellor while President Jagdeo’s candidate was the Chief Justice.
Concerns had been raised about the delay in reconstituting the JSC as several judges have demitted office and there is an inadequate number to hear cases.
