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Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan sworn-in as appellate judge
(Kaieteur News) – Justice Rafiq Khan, SC was on Tuesday sworn-in as a Justice of Appeal by President Irfaan Ali at a simple ceremony held at State House.
Justice Khan was admitted to local bar in 1984 after graduating from the University of the West Indies with a law degree and obtaining his Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica.
On May 21, 2025, five of the seven persons recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal took their oaths of office before President Ali. Those sworn in at that time were Justices Jo-Ann Barlow, Navindra Singh, Nareshwar Harnanan, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Mrs. Joycelin Kyte-Thomas. Justices Damone Younge and Rafiq Khan, SC, were scheduled to be sworn in at a later date. On Tuesday, Khan was formally sworn in.
President Irfan Ali alongside newly appointed Justice of Appeal Rafiq Turhan Khan
Following the administration of the oath, President Ali, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of the Court of Appeal, stating, “This Court of Appeal is a pivotal institution within our nation’s judicial architecture. The Court of Appeal occupies a central and an indispensable position in our judiciary hierarchy. It serves as a critical step between the courts of first instance and our apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice.”
He explained that the Court’s constitutional role, noting, “Its primary function, the review of decisions from the High Court, is a profound constitutional safeguard. It provides a structured mechanism for the correction of errors, uniform development of jurisprudence, and a consistent application of law across all jurisdictions. The system is deliberately designed to avoid the tyranny of arbitrary decisions where a single judicial officer’s ruling will be absolute and unchallengeable.”
President Ali underscored the importance of preserving appellate rights, stating, “It is precisely to guard against the corrosive danger that the right of appeal exists, and this is why the right of appeal must remain and be preserved as a fundamental pillar of due process.”
Commending Justice Khan’s elevation to the bench, the President said the appointment recognises his “considerable judicial experience, profound legal knowledge, and respected integrity.” He added, “Justice Khan’s presence will undoubtedly strengthen the court’s deliberate power. Furthermore, by augmenting our judicial resources, his appointment facilitates the more efficient management of the appellate caseload, allowing for the expedition of hearings and the timely delivery of reasoned judgments.”
The President assured that citizens can continue to seek and receive fair hearings before the judiciary and urged the new Justice of Appeal to uphold the Constitution, administer justice without fear or favour, and contribute to the wise and efficient functioning of the Court.
President Ali also commended the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice for their efforts in maintaining judicial standards, stating, “In this period of rapid transformation and development, the Chancellor and the Chief Justice has demonstrated their equal commitment and speed to transforming the work of the judiciary and the system that supports the work of the judiciary to meet the future needs of our country and to full proof our judicial system. The DPP is here also an important part of the justice system and the DPP too has been working aggressively in transforming her office in a systemic way. And that is important to me.”
Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall; Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxanne George-Wiltshire; Chief Justice, Justice Navendra Singh; Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack; and other members of the Judicial Service Commission.
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