More Commendations for Zaila Mccalla

Outgoing Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, has received commendations from the High Commissioner of Canada, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, for her contributions to the justice sector and her work in collaborating with the Canadian High Commission.

In a farewell ceremony for Justice McCalla held on Friday (January 26) at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, Ms. Peters recognised the outgoing Chief Justice for her work on a number of projects supported by the Canadian Government.

She said Mrs. McCalla has been a champion of the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme, which seeks to strengthen the management and capacity of justice sector institutions.

“She has provided unwavering support to the JUST activities. She has personally committed countless hours to fine-tuning new structures, manuals, training materials, rules and procedures, ensuring that every aspect of the justice sector is impacted by modernisation,” Ms. Peters said.

She noted that the Chief Justice has also hosted numerous Canadian judges, court administration experts and legal specialists “with her characteristic warmth and generosity of spirit” and facilitated the development of JUST’s Court Reform Implementation Plan.

“The plan will revolutionise court management and justice administration in Jamaica and also provide the platform for the country to have one of the most modernised justice systems in the Caribbean region,” she added.

Ms. Peters said Mrs. McCalla has been an inspiration and a role model to her peers and to young women, particularly those aspiring to enter the legal and judiciary sector, while hailing her decade-long contribution as Chief Justice and her 40 years in the public justice system.

“I look forward to continue working with the Chief Justice’s successor and building on the successes she has made to ensure the momentum she has created remains strong and fruitful,” Ms. Peters said.

Mrs. McCalla was also hailed by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Maura Barry-Boyle, for her excellent work.

Ms. Barry-Boyle described the Chief Justice as standing as a shining example to all persons, especially women and girls.

“I would like to thank you for all the work you have done at the US Embassy with us over the years, including the cooperation on the launch of the Judicial Education Institute,” Ms. Barry-Boyle said.

The farewell function included the presentation of a citation to Justice McCalla by the Jamaica Association of Women Judges (JAWJ), as well as by tributes from the Caribbean Association of Women Judges, the Guyana Association of Women Judges, and the Judiciary of Guyana.

The JAWJ, which organised the ceremony, is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation of judicial officers.

Its broad objectives include encouraging collaboration and cooperation among women judges, ensuring that the justice system promotes and protects the rights of women and others; and reflects equality for all in society. It was launched in January 2017.