KINGSTON, Jamaica—Six members of the judiciary were sworn in to higher offices by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on Monday.

Taking the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath were Justice Lorna Shelly-Williams and Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell, who will serve as acting judges of appeal from January 12 to March 27, 2026.

Kamar Henry-Anderson and Chester Crooks will serve as acting puisine judges effective January 7 to March 27, 2026.

Christine McNeil and Yvette Wentworth Miller will serve as acting masters-in-chambers, effective January 7 to March 27, 2026.

In his remarks, the governor-general said their appointments stand as a testament not only to their legal acumen but also to the nation’s trust in their independence, character, and devotion to service.

“Their continued appointments reflect the confidence reposed in their ability to discharge judicial responsibilities with independence, fairness, and integrity. The nation looks to you to uphold the highest standards of the office in which you serve,” he said.

The governor-general pointed out that the judiciary continues to achieve notable progress and encouraged continued deliberation and sustained transformation to build on the foundations that have been laid, for an effective judicial system.

“The past year has yielded tangible and commendable progress, and notable improvements in case management, administrative efficiency, and the reduction of long-standing backlogs that have strengthened institutional performance, especially within the parish courts,” he said.

The governor-general added that these gains are the result of thoughtful planning, disciplined execution, and a shared commitment to enhancing the delivery of justice. He also highlighted the judiciary’s engagement with digital innovation.

“The introduction of live stream court proceedings marks a meaningful step towards greater transparency and public accountability. Such initiatives help to demystify judicial processes and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law. Jamaica is consistently addressing the challenges of the judiciary, which are not unique to us.

“Judiciaries across the world face similar pressures. Yet the progress achieved, thus far, demonstrates the resilience of our institutions and their capacity for thoughtful and sustained reform. As we enter 2026, I encourage your continued commitment to modernisation, efficiency, and equitable access to justice,” he said.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Marva McDonald Bishop, congratulated the new appointees and urged them to view themselves as learning judges.

“The perspective of seeing yourself as a learning judge is one that should persist throughout your entire judicial career… approaching your responsibilities with this mindset will secure a number of important outcomes, foremost among them being the cultivation of judicial humility,” McDonald Bishop said.

“This quality is essential not only for the proper execution of judicial duties but for maintaining and strengthening public confidence in the judiciary. It’s worth reiterating that judicial humility stands in direct opposition to judicial arrogance, a characteristic that we must all be diligent to avoid in our professional conduct,” she added.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes encouraged the members of the judiciary to continue serving with excellence.

He also informed that in roughly 12 weeks’ time, the Court of Appeal, the high court division of the gun court in Kingston, the St Thomas Parish Court and the Court Administration Division should be ISO certified.

“2026, notwithstanding the challenges of 2025, will see us becoming more efficient and better as we continue to serve our people to deliver to them not just a first-class justice system but efficient and fair services,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Justice Shelly-Williams expressed gratitude, noting “we understand that the role of a judge is very challenging, but we undertake it with the diligence and fortitude it requires.”

-JIS