Justice Sykes describes recent incident involving judges as unfortunate

Acting Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has reportedly described the recent meeting of judges and subsequent issuing of a declaration on his appointment as an unfortunate event to be avoided.

He reportedly expressed the sentiment at a February 16 meeting with the governor general, involving representatives of the judiciary, the legislative and the executive arms of the government.

A release from King’s House says everyone agreed at the February 16 meeting that the situation could have been better and differently handled.

It adds that the parties agreed that the meeting allowed for misunderstandings to be cleared up on major issues of concern, in a manner that does not bring the judiciary into disrepute and keeps it beyond reproach.

Justice Sykes was quoted as saying the forum provided an avenue for dialogue and should become part of the governance structure. 

He says that way the recent unfortunate event, which was extraordinary, can be avoided.

He warned that it should not be a common occurrence.

After ditching court to meet earlier this month, 97 judges from across Jamaica issued a declaration on the Prime Minister’s suggestion he would have to be pleased with the performance of Justice Sykes before appointing him fully to the position.

They received both praise and criticism for the move.

Some argued that the judges had compromised themselves by issuing the declaration as the matter of the constitutionality of the prime minister’s actions cannot now go before them for a fair ruling.

However, others applauded the judges for what has been described as their defence of the rule of law.