Platinum for Panton

Retired Justice Seymour Panton, chairman of the Integrity Commission and former president of Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, is the 2023 recipient of the RJRGLEANER Honour Awards Platinum Award in recognition of his more than five-decades-long record of service to the nation, most notably through the justice system.

Panton, who, in 1978, became a resident magistrate, had previously entered the public service when he joined the Collector General’s Department in 1964. He would, however, switch to the Courts Department and, at age 35, was appointed to act for the first time as a High Court judge, making him the second-youngest person to attain that position at that point.

Now, decades later, Panton is continuing to receive significant honours.

“I was surprised by the award but regard it as a very high honour. I grew up listening to RJR and reading The Gleaner [while] going about my business, doing my work and not thinking about awards or honour,” Panton told The Gleaner after receiving the prestigious award during the RJRGLEANER Honour Awards aired on TVJ and on YouTube@jamaicagleaner last night.

“However, when I consider that The Gleaner is a mere 10 years away from being 200 years old, I realise that the award is not just a national honour, but one of international standing given The Gleaner’s reach worldwide. I thank the RJRGLEANER Group and the panel that selected me for so favouring me. My family and friends are delighted,” he said.

Before his retirement, Panton was well-known for his commitment to justice and legal reform. He was involved in several high-profile cases and contributed to the development of jurisprudence in Jamaica. His judgments often reflected a deep understanding of the law and its implications for society.

Panton’s legacy includes not only his judicial decisions, but also his efforts to improve the efficiency and fairness of the Jamaican judicial system. He is known for his dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is accessible to all.

Influential voice

After his retirement in 2016, Panton continued to be an influential voice in legal and civic matters in Jamaica. His opinions and insights have often been sought on various issues related to law and governance.

Born in Blenheim, Hanover, Panton was educated at Green Island Elementary School, and, thereafter, the Rusea’s High School. During his years at the Rusea’s High School, he assumed the leadership roles of head boy and captain of the Headley Cup Cricket team.

Called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, England, on November 26, 1968, he was subsequently trained as a legislative draftsman. He has held various positions in the legal and judicial system here in Jamaica, noteworthy mentions being assistant clerk, deputy clerk, clerk of courts, acting Crown Counsel; resident magistrate from 1978 to 1986; puisne judge from 1986 to 1999; judge of appeal from 1999 to 2007; president of the Court of Appeal from 2007 to 2016. In The Cayman Islands, he held positions as lgal assistant to the attorney-general from 1973 to 1977; senior Crown Counsel from 1977 to 1978; acting magistrate in 1989; and acting Grand Court judge from 2001 to 2016.

In 2016, Panton retired as president of the Court of Appeal.

Continuing his leadership and passion for justice, he has been a justice of the peace for Kingston since 2007 and currently holds the post of chairman of the Integrity Commission of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a post he assumed in December 2018. He was named a commissioner for the Integrity Commission in Jamaica in 2018 after the establishment of the Integrity Commission Act and was later appointed as chairman in September 2019 to lead the charge against corruption.

Thirteen other outstanding Jamaicans and organisations were also named recipients of RJRGLEANER Honour Awards for 2023.

Ken Boothe – Jamaica’s 76-year-old vocalist who is well-known globally for his distinctive vibrato and timbre – was one of the awardees who stood out the most during the night’s proceeding for not only his performance, but for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and in the category of entertainment from the RJRGLEANER Communications Group.

In the category of Arts and Culture, Kingston College Chapel Choir emerged as winners, and The Watt Town Revival Group received a special award. For the business category, Cari-Med Group Limited was awarded the winner, with FosRich Group of Companies copping the special award; for the education category, the Institute for Workforce Education and Development was awarded the winner, and Prospect College got the special award; for health and wellness, the National Health Fund was awarded the winner.

Panton was awarded for public service while for science and technology, the Universal Service Fund was awarded the winner and Professor Marcia Roye, from the University of the West Indies, Mona, received a special award. For sport, the Sunshine Girls national netball team was awarded winners and the Reggae Girlz national women’s football team was awarded the special award, and for voluntary service, the Mustard Seed Communities.

Now in its 44th year, the RJRGLEANER Honour Awards continues its time-honoured tradition of recognising the initiative, accomplishments, and courage of individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to improving Jamaica’s quality of life at any time in the preceding year or are likely to bring about such a change in the immediate future.

For Glen Christian, founder of Cari-Med – a 38-year-old beacon in the pharmaceutical industry of Jamaica – he is elated about the selection.

“I feel very proud of the achievement. We have been growing and making our mark in the distribution business. First, in the pharmaceutical and then into the consumer. We have set ourselves ambitious targets over the years, and there are achievements through investments, and my investment comes through our people. I invest in human resources and technology, and we have between 2019 and now, I think we have committed over $57 million in the [new] distribution centre [located in Bernard Lodge, St Catherine],” Christian said.

For Roye, the special award is motivation for her to continue working harder to help fight viruses that continue to affect plants and crops in Jamaica, which is her field of study.

“The research is always ongoing, so I am still working on viruses that affect crops and weeds in Jamaica. I am [now] looking on viruses in papaya. We found a virus in papaya, so we’re doing some work on that right now. It’s a new virus, so we have to do the analysis before we give it a name. It hasn’t been named yet,” Roye told The Gleaner.

editorial@gleanerjm.com