‘Well-deserved’
Appeal Court president applauds judges sworn in to act in higher posts
PRESIDENT of the Court of Appeal, Justice Patrick Brooks, has commended eight members of the judiciary who were sworn in on Wednesday to act in higher offices for the Easter Term.
According to Justice Brooks, all eight are well deserving of their appointments.
The judges, who will serve in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, took the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath, during a ceremony led by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House.
They are justices Kissock Laing and Georgiana Fraser, who will act as judges of the Court of Appeal from April 8 to July 31; Master Pamela Mason and Opal Smith, who have been appointed as acting puisne judges, from April 8 to July 31; Tracey Ann Johnson has been appointed to act as a puisne judge from April 3 to July 31; and Master Stephany Orr has been appointed acting puisne judge from April 16 until further orders.
Christine McNeil has been appointed to act as master-in-chambers from April 16 to July 31, while Luciana Jackson has been appointed acting master-in-chambers from April 3 until further orders.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Justice Laing said they will execute their duties in keeping with the oaths they have taken.
“We thank members of the Judicial Service Commission for the trust and confidence that they have again reposed in us. It is often said that past performance does not guarantee future results, but we can assure the commission that we will maintain our highest standards and execute our duties in keeping with the oaths we have taken,” he said.
“To the citizens of Jamaica, we hear your impassioned pleas for justice and we undertake to do our utmost best to render decisions that are timely, just, and most importantly, in keeping with the law and which you can understand, even if these are results with which you do not necessarily agree,” Justice Laing added.