Gov’t Looking to Employ Retired Judges

The Government is seeking to amend the Constitution to allow for retired judges to offer their services.

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said the amendment will enable these judges to be re-engaged as needed by the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal.

He said the retirement age will still remain at age 70.

“All of these judges, now retired, are giving their expertise to commissions and many of them are working overseas. We need to utilise that experience,” he pointed out.

The Justice Minister was making his contribution to the 2016/17 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 15).

Approximately five judges are due to retire this fiscal year, and a further five over the next two years. This will affect the complement of judges in the system.

Minister Chuck said that if the proposed Constitutional Amendment is made, at least 20 judges will be able to continue offering their services and expertise to the judiciary and assist to reduce the backlog over the medium term.

“We hope that this will be done later this year, the latest next year,” Mr. Chuck said.