Waterman- Latchoo replaces Marcia Ayers-Caesar

State attorney Stacy Lallo-Chong, in welcoming Waterman-Latchoo, said she was doing so on behalf of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Since Ayers-Caesar’s exit, Justice Malcolm Holdip who is the country’s most senior judge in the High Court and who presides in the First Assize Court, has been adjourning the list of cases. Not a single trial has been able to start.

Chong told Waterman-Latchoo that State attorneys look forward to her adjudication. Waterman-Latchoo, who once was a journalist, was appointed a judge by President Anthony Carmona during a swearing in ceremony at the Office of the President on Wednesday which was attended by Chief Justice Ivor Archie. The other judge sworn in is Jacqueline Wilson.

The appointments came in the wake of a High Court injunction filed on Monday against the swearing in on the ground that the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) was not properly constituted.

Three Appeal court judges however, overturned Justice Frank Seepersad’s ruling a day after.

Attorney Dexter Bailey of the criminal bar, congratulated Justice Waterman-Latchoo on her elevation to the bench, she being a former Deputy DPP. “I am looking forward to your experience and knowledge, M’Lady,” said the senior attorney.

In reply, Justice Waterman-Latchoo said she expects nothing short of excellence, because that is what southern jurisdiction is known for.

She then began dealing with the business at hand, which consisted of nine cases, all except one involving bail. Five of the prisoners were not brought down in the prison van and Justice Waterman-Latchoo enquired the reason for this, but none was provided. In adjourning the cases, she commented, “People have to provide reasons to the court. The court has to be communicated with.”