The Guyana Bar Association has intensified its call for President Irfaan Ali to immediately appoint a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice, highlighting the critical need for stability and leadership within Guyana’s judiciary. This appeal, delivered during the opening of the 2025 Law Year at the Victoria Law Court, on Tuesday, underscores the constitutional and moral obligation to end decades of delay in confirming these key judicial appointments.
Kamal Ramkarran, President of the Bar Association, described the prolonged failure to appoint a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice as “untenable and unacceptable.” He criticised the 20-year delay since Guyana’s last confirmed Chancellor and Chief Justice, emphasizing that it reflects poorly on the nation’s commitment to judicial independence and governance.
“There is no reason that we should be here 20 years later without a Chancellor or Chief Justice. This is something that should not be accepted by anyone,” Ramkarran stated.
Guyana has been without substantive leadership in its judiciary since a 2001 constitutional amendment required agreement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition for these appointments. The last substantive Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh, retired in 2017 after acting in the position for 12 years. Justice Ian Chung served as acting Chief Justice until 2016. Since then, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire have held these positions in an acting capacity, earning widespread respect for their service.
Ramkarran lauded both justices for their distinguished contributions and called for their immediate confirmation. “The people currently performing the roles of Chancellor and Chief Justice are the ones who should be confirmed, and it should happen as soon as possible,” he declared.
The constitutional requirement under Article 127(1) has historically created deadlock, with successive administrations and opposition leaders failing to reach consensus. However, current Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has expressed his support for the substantive appointments of Cummings-Edwards and George-Wiltshire, removing a key obstacle.
“During that time, a child could have been born, completed school, and even gotten a degree… it is a simple procedure,” Ramkarran remarked, underscoring the absurdity of the extended delay. He also pointed to repeated calls from Caribbean Court of Justice leaders for Guyana to resolve this issue, reflecting growing regional concern.
Despite Norton’s public support, President Ali and Attorney General Anil Nandlall have yet to provide an explanation for the continued inaction. Ramkarran warned that the absence of substantive leadership undermines the judiciary and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
As pressure mounts from the Bar Association and civil society, the spotlight remains on President Ali and the Opposition Leader to finalise these long-overdue appointments. The resolution of this issue, Ramkarran argued, is essential to upholding the principles of justice, governance, and constitutional responsibility in Guyana.