JAMAICA Courts shut down as judges protest chief justice issue

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Jamaica Supreme Court

Courts islandwide were on 'lockdown' yesterday morning as almost 100 judges met at the Supreme Court in Kingston to discuss concerns regarding the appointment of Justice Bryan Sykes as acting chief justice and Prime Minister Andrew Holness's comments in relation to the appointment.

“The thrust of the meeting was to reaffirm the hallowed principles of the separation of powers doctrine and the independence of the judiciary,” a spokesman for the judges said.

The unexpected, historic meeting follows heavy flak from the parliamentary Opposition, the Jamaican Bar Association, and several groups who have accused the prime minister of signalling an intent to interfere with the judiciary.

Holness drew the criticisms after saying at Sykes' swearing-in ceremony at King's House on February 1, that “actions that bring results will determine the assumption of the role of chief justice”.

Sykes replaced Zaila McCalla who has retired. more