GG intervenes in chief justice row

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen has revealed that he has intervened in the current row over the appointment of Justice Bryan Sykes as acting chief justice.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been accused of seeking to interfere with the judiciary by appointing an acting chief justice.

The move forced 97 judges to release a declaration affirming the principle of separation of powers.

In a release this afternoon, King’s House disclosed that Sir Patrick’s intervention in the matter was sought by Holness.

It says a meeting was held with representatives of the judiciary, the executive and legislative on February 16.

King’s House says everyone agreed that the situation could have been better and differently handled.

It says the Judiciary agreed that timelines for the delivery of judgments and the disposal of cases should be established. 

The executive committed to make more resources available, firstly by way of special project allocation in the upcoming fiscal year and thereafter, system-wide allocation going forward.

The parties also agreed that the meeting allowed for misunderstandings to be cleared up on major issues of concern, in a manner that does not bring the judiciary into disrepute and kept it beyond reproach.