Latest update March 26th, 2026 12:30 AM
‘Confusion in the Courts’ – Chief Justice shut out of chambers after Chancellor’s return
(Kaieteur News) – The return of Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards from her annual leave has erupted some amount of confusion in the local judiciary, as Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire remains out of her office.
Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire
Kaieteur News understands that Justice George has not been able to access her chambers, which is currently occupied by Justice of Appeal, Navindra Singh, who substituted for Justice George-Wiltshire, while she acted in the capacity of acting Chancellor.
Justices George-Wiltshire and Singh were sworn in by President Irfaan Ali on August 4th, when Justice Cummings-Edwards commenced her vacation leave. Justice George was appointed acting chancellor, while Justice Singh was elevated to act as chief justice.
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards
Sources at the high court told Kaieteur News that Justice Cummings-Edwards was able to return to her chambers when she resumed duty this week. However, the chief justice has still not been able to access her office.
Efforts to contact Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC for an understanding of the situation were futile. Kaieteur News also sought a comment from Justice Singh, but that request went unanswered.
During the acting appointments in August, President Ali had stated that the decisions were made in the interest of maintaining continuity and ensuring the efficient functioning of the judiciary in the offices of chancellor and chief justice. The president also said the temporary filling of the chancellor’s post in the absence of Justice Cummings-Edwards, “reflects the administration’s commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of law, which are essential to the country’s democratic framework.”
Justice of Appeal, Navindra Singh
Despite this move the top two spots in Guyana’s judiciary have substantively remained vacant, due to the requirement in the constitution that both the leader of the opposition and the president must agree on the persons before they can be appointed. Although there have been numerous calls by a number of political parties and organisations to substantively appoint the acting persons to the posts, the spots have remained substantively vacant for over 20 years, with attempts to break the ‘deadlock’ going to no avail.
In May of this year President Ali said that he was still examining the issue of appointing the substantive holders to the office of chancellor and chief justice (CJ).
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
One thought on “‘Confusion in the Courts’ – Chief Justice shut out of chambers after Chancellor’s return”
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
Such confusion could have been avoided, if only some heads full of brains
were able to PERMANENTLY APPOINT, FILL THE REQUIRED VACANCIES
IN THE JUDICIAL HIERARCHY.
Since 20 years have gone by, are these heads waiting for the “actors, acting
in the roll” to die because they are not suitable ?