Pemberton sworn in as Appeal Court judge

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony at the President’s House, in St Ann’s yesterday, Carmona added that he was satisfied that Pemberton, a former classmate of his at the Hugh Wooding Law School, was now selected to become an Appeal Court Judge. “It is truly an exhilirating moment to be here at the swearing in of one of my former classmates. I can say that Justice Pemberton brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bench. “At Law school she was a veritable bee-hive, a repository of learning, topping the class in both year one and year two, she is also very skilled in judicial writing, and posseses, intellect, independence and a massive social heart towards others.

I am comfortable with her selection to the bench.” President Carmona quipped that Justice Pemberton’s role as an Appeal Court Judge, will now leave her with fewer friends, adding that judicial independence and impartiality must not only be practiced, but it must also be perceived to have been practiced.

“Your appointment to the Appellate bench means keeping a healthy distance from friends in the criminal and civil walls. Of course I have no doubt that you will practice independence and impartiality in your time on the bench, but it must also be perceived that independence is being practised.

“Unfortunately, some persons rather than looking at perception in the sense of something good, persons are always looking in the sense of something bad.” Chief Justice Ivor Archie, was also present at the ceremony and congratulated Pemberton on her appointment and lauded her for continued contributions to the growth and development of the Judiciary over the years. “For me as a Chief Justice I am pleased to welcome a judge who has contributed tremendously to the institutional growth of the Judiciary.