President Irfaan Ali presided over the swearing-in ceremony of six new judges at the Office of the President today, a move aimed at enhancing the capacity of the nation’s legal system and addressing significant case backlogs.
The appointments, which follow recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission, include a mix of experienced legal professionals and former judicial officers:
Suenna Lovell: Former Registrar of the Supreme Court
Azeena Baksh: Former Registrar of the Deeds and Commercial Registry
Sunil Scarce: Former Magistrate
Mandisa Breedy: Attorney-at-Law
Christel Lambert-Meertins: Former Commissioner of Title
Renita Singh: Former Commissioner of Title
In his address, President Ali emphasized that the expansion of the judiciary is a vital step in maintaining the rule of law. He acknowledged the frustration felt by citizens regarding long-standing delays, noting that the “credibility of the justice system is strained by the perception that justice is available only to those who can afford to wait.”
While the President recognized the government’s role in providing resources, he stressed that the new appointments serve as a direct response to these systemic challenges. He urged the new judges to manage their dockets with a “sense of urgency,” reiterating that while the backlog cannot be eliminated overnight, every resolved case provides necessary closure for litigants.
The ceremony was attended by key judicial figures, including Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George and Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, as well as Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
