Addressing the paucity of judges and magistrates is a top priority for the new Judicial Service Commission, says Chairman, Chancellor Desiree Bernard.
"We will certainly get down to business...," the Chancellor said shortly after being sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President yesterday.
Chief Justice Carl Singh, retired justice of appeal Prem Persaud, Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), George Fung-On and Guyana Bar Association (GBA) member, Senior Coun-sel Bryn Pollard were also sworn in.
The Chancellor told reporters the commission is likely to have its first meeting by the end of this month and another important item on its agenda is that of key appointments which have been deferred over the past two years.
One such appointment is that of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This post became vacant last year after then DPP Denis Hanoman-singh resigned; acting DPP Roxanne George has since been holding the fort.
"It's two years since the [previous Commission's life expired], so there's quite a lot of things to be done," Bernard remarked.
The Chancellor, Chief Justice and Chairman of the PSC are automatically members of the Commission by virtue of the constitution. The president nominated Persaud, and Pollard was designated by the National Assembly after consultation with the GBA, the Berbice Bar Association and the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers.
Reappointment of the JSC and the other service commissions had been delayed by the political impasse which prevented the Appointive Com-mittee of parliament from functioning. All of the service commissions have now been appointed.