Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Magistrate continues legal challenge to Service Commission

Mar 30, 2010 News

By Latoya Giles
The case against the Judicial Service Commission and Magistrate Geeta Chandan- Edmond is expected to be called up today before Justice Diana Insanally. The members of the JSC are Acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh who acts as the Chairman, Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, Ganga Persaud, Justice Prem Persaud (retired) and Senior Counsel Brynmor Pollard.
Lead attorney Nigel Hughes explained that on the last occasion, attorney at law Aston Chase S.C. who is presenting the JSC had filed an application for further particulars to be laid over to the court.
Hughes had opposed the application since the Judge had already granted an Order Nisi stating that the JSC should show cause.
Magistrate Edmond had filed a constitutional writ against the members of the Judicial Service Commission last month.
By way of writ, the Magistrate claimed that her suspension on the basis of her absence from duty without approval was null and void.
An affidavit stated that Magistrate is claiming that on July 2, 2009, she was informed of her aunt’s death in Suriname.
The Magistrate said that she tried to contact the Acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh the next day, to inform him of her intention to leave the jurisdiction.
She said that several attempts to contact the Chancellor were futile. A message was left with the Chancellor’s secretary about her bereavement and her intention to attend the funeral in Suriname.
Magistrate Edmond said she conducted her duties up until July 3 and adjourned the court after she finished all the listed cases.
She said that she had seen the Chancellor while she was attempting to leave the jurisdiction, but was however unable to inform him about the death since the circumstances did not facilitate an appropriate opportunity. She returned to Guyana on July 6.
On July 10, she received a letter seeking her explanation for her unauthorised absence from work on July 4, and also for her departure without seeking permission from the Judicial Service Commission.
She complied and wrote a response to the Chancellor, and on July 22, she was invited to attend a meeting at his office.
She attended the meeting and provided responses to the inquiries by the Chancellor.
On July 29, she was invited for a further meeting at the Judicial Service Commission; present at the meeting was Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang, Ganga Persaud; Justice Prem Persaud and Senior Counsel Brynmor Pollard.
On July 31, the Magistrate was informed that she would be suspended for two weeks and would not be paid for one week.
The Magistrate said that she was not given a fair hearing during the meeting.
The Magistrate is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for the breach of Article 199 of the Constitution. She is also seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for the breach of her not being under the protection of the Office of the President.
She is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for the wrongful suspension from the Office of the Magistrate for the period of two weeks.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 13th, 2025

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Windies captain Brathwaite stresses bravery, belief ahead of Pakistan Test Series

Windies captain Brathwaite stresses bravery, belief ahead of Pakistan...

Jan 17, 2025

SportsMax – With the stakes high and the odds challenging, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has placed an unyielding focus on self-belief and bravery as key factors for his team to deliver...
Read More
In-form Savory dazzles on second day with classy half-century

In-form Savory dazzles on second day with classy...

Jan 17, 2025

Moo Milk sponsors National U12 Chess tourneys

Moo Milk sponsors National U12 Chess tourneys

Jan 17, 2025

Determinators’ 2-1 win over Pele FC keep them alive as DeJonge needles Potaro

Determinators’ 2-1 win over Pele FC keep them...

Jan 17, 2025

Lusignan Golf Club to host Inaugural GBTI Mastercard Golf Classic this Sunday

Lusignan Golf Club to host Inaugural GBTI...

Jan 17, 2025

GFF Referee department recognizes top performances at Referee Award Ceremony, FIFA badges issued

GFF Referee department recognizes top...

Jan 17, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]