Panday: Money wasted on CCJ judges

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday described monthly salaries of $63,000 to judges appointed to sit on the proposed Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as nothing short of total squandermania and gross irresponsibility in the delivery of justice. CCJ judges will also not have to pay income taxes, be entitled to rent free, fully furnished accommodations or a monthly allowance of $15,000 and have the use of an official vehicle. The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission is currently searching for six judges to sit on the court.  Several retired CCJ judges have reportedly lined up to apply for positions with the CCJ. Caricom Attorney Generals have recommended to their respective Heads of Government that the retirement age for CCJ judges be extended from 72 to 75.

However Panday told Newsday it was ludicrous to be pumping such an obscene amount of money into the CCJ when justice is denied at the most basic level in Trinidad and Tobago — the Magistracy. “That money is better spent dealing with the backlog (of cases) at the Magistracy. The Magistrates’ Courts are in a mess,” he declared. The Opposition UNC has said it would only support establishment of the CCJ as the region’s final appellate court once there is constitutional reform in TT. All other Caricom nations, except TT, have passed legislation to allow the CCJ to replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The CCJ and several other constitutional reform issues are currently the subject of discussions between Manning and Panday.