Judgment today in matter against Examination Board

JUSTICE David Myers will today deliver an important judgment in the case filed by two policemen against the delay of the Public Services Examination Board (PSEB) in releasing the results of police promotional examinations. The judge will also rule on whether Cabinet has constitutional authority to appoint the PSEB which sets the examinations for all public servants including police officers. In a judicial review application filed by Cpls Eusebio Cooper and Clifford Balbosa, attorneys argued last month before Justice Myers in the San Fernando High Court, that the Constitution created various service commissions to make appointments, facilitate promotion and discipline  public servants.

Attorneys Fenton Ramsahoye QC and Anand Ramlogan who argued the case on the policemen’s behalf, submitted that it was a breach of the separation of powers for Cabinet to assume the role of the services commissions and appoint the PSEB. The State, however, challenged the action. Assistant Solicitor General Krishendaye Narinesingh, Nirad Ramrekersingh and Sharon Sharma, who represented the State, contended that the functioning of the PSEB was too remote for Cabinet to have any influence over it. Myers will deliver judgment in the Fifth Civil Court in the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain.