Six new Puisne Judges were sworn in by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali at his Chiv Chanderpaul Drive office on Wednesday following their appointment by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The six appointees are: Sueanna Lovell, former Registrar of the Supreme Court; Mandisa Breedy, Attorney-at-Law; Christel Lambert-Meertins, former Commissioner of Title; Renita Camille Singh, former Commissioner of Title; Sunil Scarce, former Senior Magistrate; and Azeena Baksh, former Registrar of Deeds.
In his remarks at the ceremony, President Ali noted that this is not the first time such a large group of judges has been sworn in at once, pointing to a similar cohort of 10 Puisne Judges sworn in back in June 2024.
“The swearing in of six more judges today reflects a deliberate and necessary effort to strengthen the capacity of our judiciary to meet the demands of an increasingly rights-conscious society, where citizens are more aware of their entitlements and more willing to seek judicial redress,” he underscored.
With the appointments, President Ali said the executive has fulfilled its constitutional duty, recognising that a well-sourced judiciary is indispensable to the rule of law.
He explained that while the government provides the mechanism of their appointment, it will not direct the exercise of their judicial function.
“The authority you wield is not your own. You are now arbiters of right and wrong, guardians of fundamental freedoms, and interpreters of law. The oath you have taken represents a sacred trust.”
President Ali reminded the new judges that their decisions would have a lasting impact on their own lives, families, and communities, and called on them to render judgment with courage, clarity, and compassion, alongside a commitment to timely justice.
“I therefore encourage you to approach your docket with a sense of urgency. The backlog will not vanish overnight, but every case you dispose of is a citizen who receives closure. Every judgement you deliver promptly restores confidence in the system,” the president urged. “The public deserves satisfaction that their cause has been heard and their case has been determined in a timely manner.”
Puisne Judges serve in the High Court of Guyana, where they preside over civil, criminal and commercial matters. Under Article 128 (1) of the Constitution, appointments to the office are made by the president, who acts in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
