P.U.P. objects to reappoint of Justice Awich to Court of Appeal

There is a rare development tonight to our story earlier this week on government’s intention to re-appoint Justice Samuel Awich to the Belize Court of Appeal. We say rare because it is unusual that a judge would not receive the full support of the judiciary to his tenure. As we reported on Wednesday, Government intends to extend the contract of Justice Samuel Awich. In a letter dated May nineteenth, 2014, the Prime Minister, as is required, wrote to the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, informing that he proposes to advise the Governor General to re-appoint Justice Awich until he reaches the age of seventy-five years. Awich is sixty-seven years old; the extension to the contract would be retroactive to May sixteen and would run through to 2022.  A P.U.P. source confirms that the Opposition Leader wrote to the Bar Association on Wednesday seeking their views. While the Bar would not disclose their position to us, tonight there is reliable information that there is consensus within the Bar Executive that it does not support the proposed re-appointment of the judge. News Five sought confirmation from the Bar President, Eamon Courtenay, and was told that (Quote) “we were, as usual, consulted by the Leader of the Opposition and provided our response based on a decision on the Executive. I am not prepared to disclose the details of our decision.” (Unquote)  While a position by the Opposition is being formulated, we can safely say that the Bar is not supporting Awich’s proposed appointment. Aside from Courtenay, the executive comprises:  Vice President, Emil Arguelles, Secretary Darlene Vernon, Treasurer Edwin Flowers and officers Denys Barrow, Jackie Marshalleck and Melissa Balderamos Mahler. With this development, it will be interesting to see how the Prime Minister will proceed.