New Supreme Court Justices to be Appointed; the Bar Records Disappointment with Courthouse Neglect

According to the President of the Bar Association, Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission is already in the process of making appointments to fill vacant posts within the Judiciary. Earlier this year, four new justices from the Commonwealth were sworn in to serve in the Civil and Criminal division of the Belize Supreme Court. Those justices were hired for a term of one year to assist with the court’s backlog. And, those contracts are about to expire. Well, Marshalleck says the public need not worry, because there will be no disruptions. In the same vein, he shared his disappointment over the neglect of the building that houses the Belize City Magistrates Court.

Andrew Marshalleck

Andrew Marshalleck, President, Bar Association

“The post are already being advertised. They were already advertised from before and the process of making appointments by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission are well underway. So, we expect that post to be field and there to be no disruption at all in the courts, a part of course from the roof falling in, that of course needs to be repaired post haste.”

Reporter

“What can you tell us about that matter, in terms of inconvenience to litigants?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“Well there is a lot of inconvenience to litigants. Luckily, we had already moved to virtual hearings during COVID so we have the experience of hearings outside of the plant. So, that will continue. But, the physical plant needs to be restored and it needs to be restored to its former glory. The buildings in which courts sits should a be reflective of our view as a society of the importance of justice.”

Reporter

“It shouldn’t be dilapidated.”

Andrew Marshalleck

“No, and it shouldn’t be neglected in the way those buildings have been neglected. So, I am hoping that this is a turning point in that and that type of thing doesn’t happen again.”