Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh will be replaced

2010 is a year that has had significant changes in the judiciary. On June first there was a transition from the Privy Council in the U.K. to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final appellate court for Belize.  On the same day, there was a change of Attorney General from Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington to B.Q. Pitts.  Another imminent change was announced on Wednesday at the P.M’s press conference. There will be a changing of the guard, so to speak, at the highest levels of our court.  Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh is on the verge of retirement, and according to the P.M., the government is seeking a suitable replacement.

Glenn Tillett, Vibes Radio

“In terms of judicial reform, are you going to renew or extend doctor Conteh’s contract as Chief Justice?”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“No, but it’s not a question of a contract; it’s a question of the constitution. There is a retirement age and Doctor Conteh reaches that age in August. The constitution does provide for there to be an extension notwithstanding that the age of retirement has been reached. I have discussed matters with the chief justice and the answer is that we propose to find a new Chief Justice after doctor Conteh retires.”