Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday said the government remains committed to preserving the independence of the judiciary, stressing that the executive has no role in deciding who is appointed to judicial office or how the courts operate.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI) Phillips made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony for six new magistrates and five commissioners of title at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
The six new magistrates are Ocelisa Marks, Nikkisha Logan, Jimelle Joseph, Shareefah Parks, Taneisha Saygon and Caressa Henry.
The commissioners of title sworn in were Deputy Registrar Alicia Lowenfield, Magistrates Annette Singh, Alisha George and Shivani Lalaram, and attorney-at-law Utieka John.
Addressing members of the judiciary, the legal profession and government officials, Phillips said the government respects the constitutional separation of powers and has focused on providing the judiciary with the resources necessary to carry out its functions.
“We do not control the judiciary. We do not determine whom they appoint. We do not determine how they function. The judiciary must remain functionally independent. It is a fundamental constitutional concept which we embrace,” he said.
He said the role of the executive is to ensure that the judiciary has adequate financial, technological and physical resources to administer justice effectively.
According to Phillips, the government has made what he described as the largest investment in the judiciary since Guyana attained independence.
He said that between 2020 and 2026, additional courthouses have been constructed and rehabilitated, while litigation has become “almost wholly electronic” in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice.
Phillips also said the government has worked with the judiciary to facilitate the appointment of what he described as the largest number of judicial officers since independence.
The prime minister argued that a strong and independent judiciary is essential to Guyana’s development and economic growth.
“Investors, both local and international, are severely influenced by the state of this crucial arm of government. After all, the safety of their investments lies with a competent, independent, and reliable judiciary,” he said.
He congratulated the newly appointed magistrates and commissioners of title and urged them to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism and efficiency.
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