2 judges sworn in

Both were scheduled to take the oath on Tuesday but because of an injunction granted by Justice Frank Seepersad earlier that morning, the ceremony was postponed.

On Monday night, attorneys for former UNC Senator Devant Maharaj approached the High Court with the emergency injunction which also sought to prohibit the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) from giving any advice on appointments of new judicial officers.

On Tuesday, Justices of Appeal Allan Mendonca, Nolan Bereaux and Peter Rajkumar said they were satisfied the JLSC was properly constituted and the swearing in could proceed. During the ceremony yesterday, Chief Justice Ivor Archie said he knew the media has a lot of “burning questions” for him, but he did not want to steal the limelight from the newly sworn in judges.

“I want to assure you all the matters that are of concern to all of us as citizens will be addressed in due course but this is their moment in the sun and I won’t want to steal that,” Archie said. Waterman-Latchoo, a former deputy DPP was most recently a judge in St Vincent while Wilson was the Solicitor General of the Cayman Islands, Archie described Wilson as, “one of the most able attorneys I have ever come across during my career. There is something about being Solicitor General of the Cayman Islands that does something for your career. So I’m looking forward with interest to see what happens in the future, but certainly for now, we are grateful to have her on the bench as she comes with a broad range of experience, keen analytical mind, a superior work ethic and I know that the complement of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago will have been significantly enhanced by your addition today,” Justice Archie said.

Carmona in his remarks said Waterman-Latchoo, a former editor of the Express newspaper, is the first journalist in this country to have attained this judicial rank.

He said she has demonstrated here and abroad, a social conscience by engaging in restorative justice, alternative dispute resolution and mediation as progressive components of a just and fair legal system.

He told the new judges that they were the guardians and guarantors of the rule of law and it is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

“The slings and arrows will come your way but I am gratified, given your experience, your knowledge and your competency that you will be able to lead from in front,” Carmona said.