U.D.P. Echoes Sentiment of NTUCB on High Court Judges

Mike Peyrefitte

Former Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte also chimed in on the matter, echoing the sentiment of the NTUCB.  Senator Peyrefitte uses the example of other jurisdictions within the region, including Jamaica, that employs only native judges to the High Court.

Mike Peyrefitte, Former Attorney General

“I’ve always had a difficulty with foreigners occupying most or any judicial position or even senior position within the government, period.  I said the last time to all the press that you take an example like Jamaica, all the scores of judges that they have on their bench, not one is a non-Jamaican and to see so many foreign judges sitting in the senior courts, I am a bit offended by that.  I refuse to believe that we do not have able and willing Belizeans who could sit on the bench and take up those positions and I sat in the senate and when I see a Chief Justice getting a package of about five hundred thousand dollars for the year.  My first thought is without even knowing the person is, why can’t that benefit go to a Belizean.  Why can’t our senior positions go to Belizean people who make up the fabric of our society and who we know from even a narrow economic standpoint that the income and the dollars would stay here for what we pay them.  So I share the view of the NTUCB.  I am concerned that the bench seems to be occupied mostly, if not all by foreigners at this point.”