Prime Minister Andrew Holness has led tributes to former Chief Justice of Jamaica, Lensley Wolfe, who died on Tuesday evening.

Wolfe served as Chief Justice of Jamaica from 1996 to 2007.

Holness in a statement remembered Wolfe as “a man of immense integrity, wisdom, and dedication to justice”, hailing Wolfe as a great jurist and a distinguished public servant.

“He was a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those who sought to uphold the rule of law and promote the common good. He will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and his unwavering commitment to fairness and equality,” Holness said.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Chief Justice Wolfe for his many years of service to our country. I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him,” added the prime minister, noting that Wolfe made significant contributions to the development of Jamaica’s legal system during his tenure as chief justice.

Wolfe was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn on January 26, 1960, and his legal career spanned over five decades.

Opposition Leader and President of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding also expressed his condolences, stating that “Chief Justice Wolfe was a trailblazer who left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s legal system.

“He was fearless, and demanded personal discipline and adherence to high standards of behaviour from all who came before him in court. His contributions as head of the judiciary resulted in significant improvements to the justice system, which will benefit generations to come,” Golding said.

The PNP meanwhile noted that one of Chief Justice Wolfe’s notable contributions was his work on the Wolfe Report, which examined the state of the Jamaican justice system and made recommendations for its improvement. The report, which was released in 2008, highlighted the need for increased resources for the justice system and proposed a number of reforms to make the system more efficient and effective.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck hailed Wolfe as “a champion of justice who worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, had access to a fair and just legal system.”

Chuck added that tthroughout his long and distinguished career, “Chief Justice Wolfe was known for his unwavering commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the rights of all Jamaicans.”

The justice minister also noted that Wolfe was a mentor and role model to many young lawyers and judges, who looked up to him for his wisdom, guidance, and integrity.

“His passing is a great loss not only to his family and friends but to the legal profession and the country as a whole,” Chuck said.