Six new judges sworn in
Jul 02, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – Six new Puisne Judges were officially sworn in by President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday. The ceremony took place at the president’s Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office, following their recent appointment by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The newly appointed judges bring a wealth of diverse legal experience to the high court bench. The cohort consists of Sueanna Lovell, former Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mandisa Breedy, Attorney, Christel Lambert-Meertins, former Commissioner of Title, Renita Camille Singh, former Commissioner of Title, Sunil Scarce, former Senior Magistrate and Azeena Baksh, former Registrar of Deeds.
President Ali (center)between the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC (left) and the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Roxane George (right), along with the six newly minted jurists during the ceremony.
In his address, President Ali noted that this is not the first time a substantial cohort has been appointed simultaneously to the bench, recalling a similar appointment of ten Puisne Judges in June 2024. He emphasised that the expansion is a direct response to the changing landscape of Guyanese society.
Christel Lambert-Meertins, former Commissioner of Title
Sunil Scarce, former Senior Magistrate
Renita Camille Singh, former Commissioner of Title
“The swearing in of six more judges today reflects a deliberate and necessary effort to strengthen the capacity of our judiciary to meet the demands of an increasingly rights-conscious society, where citizens are more aware of their entitlements and more willing to seek judicial redress,” President Ali stated.
Mandisa Breedy, Attorney-at-Law
Azeena Baksh, former Registrar of Deeds
Sueanna Lovell, former Registrar of the Supreme Court
The head of state, according to the Department of Public Information, affirmed that with these appointments, the executive branch has fulfilled its constitutional obligations, acknowledging that a well-resourced judiciary is indispensable to upholding the rule of law.
Addressing the core principle of judicial independence, President Ali made it clear that while the government facilitates the mechanism for their appointment, it maintains no role in directing their judicial functions. “The authority you wield is not your own. You are now arbiters of right and wrong, guardians of fundamental freedoms, and interpreters of law. The oath you have taken represents a sacred trust,” the president charged the new judges.
He reminded the appointees that their decisions will carry lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities. He called on them to render judgment with courage, clarity, and compassion, while maintaining a strict commitment to efficiency. “I therefore encourage you to approach your docket with a sense of urgency. The backlog will not vanish overnight, but every case you dispose of is a citizen who receives closure. Every judgement you deliver promptly restores confidence in the system,” President Ali urged. “The public deserves satisfaction that their cause has been heard and their case has been determined in a timely manner.”
Puisne Judges serve within the High Court of Guyana, where they preside over civil, criminal, and commercial matters. Under Article 128 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, appointments to this office are made by the President, acting in accordance with the advice and recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission.
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
