President of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA), Ruggles Ferguson is advocating the need for there to be some policy changes within the member States of the sub-region in the appointment of a Chief Justice.
Ferguson sentiments came as the local jurisdiction paid tribute to Sir Brian Alleyne, the Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on his retirement.
Ferguson said that Sir Brian's "undeserved treatment" highlights the need for an urgent review of the current policy that calls for the unanimous approval of a Chief Justice by all Heads of Government within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
"Let the Judicial and Legal Services Commission screen and shortlist appointees with the Chief Justice being chosen from among the shortlisted appointees by a majority and not unanimous vote by the Heads of Government," he remarked.
The GBA President said it is only then there would be an end, to what he termed as the Hollywood style acting appointment to the Office of Chief Justice.
Ferguson also addressed the issue of the retiring age of judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and Chief Justice.
He said that Sir Brian's retirement has once again brought to the fore the need to look at the age of retirement. The required retiring age for a Chief Justice is 65.
The GBA boss believes that Sir Brian is still capable of serving in the highest judicial office.
"Here we have a strong, mentally sharp and physically active Chief Justice in the prime of his career being forced into the halls of retirement at a relatively young age", he said.
"The time is appropriate to repeat the call for an increase in the retirement age of Court of Appeal Judges to at least 70 years," he added.
The GBA President also used the occasion to call on the Heads of Government of the sub-region to speedily appoint a new Chief Justice since Sir Brian office at the end of the month.
Ferguson's address which was wide-ranging again raised a number of issues that are currently plaguing the justice system in Grenada.
He said the Bar continues to be concerned about the independence of the magistracy, adequate facilities for Magistrates' and High Courts, the state of the Supreme Court Registry and the state of the records in the Deeds and Lands Registry.
"We shall continue to lobby on those issues, and also for a third judge to adjudicate on civil matters," Ferguson said.
Grenada is currently served by Madam Justice Clare Henry as the senior judge, and Justice Francis Cumberbatch as the second in command.
Both judges are required to preside over both criminal and civil matters.
