KINGSTON, Jamaica — The judiciary is mourning the passing of former Court of Appeal judge Carl Patterson, whose service to Jamaica’s justice system spanned more than five decades.

In a release, the judiciary said Patterson entered the public service on September 17, 1948, as an assistant clerk, beginning a distinguished career that took him through court administration, legal practice and judicial office, culminating in his appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, OJ, CD, described Patterson as a distinguished servant of Jamaica’s justice system who gave dedicated service to the courts for more than five decades.

“The passing of Justice Carl Patterson marks the loss of a distinguished servant of Jamaica’s justice system. For more than five decades, he gave dedicated service to the courts, progressing from court administration to the Court of Appeal. His contribution forms an important part of our judiciary’s institutional history. We are thankful for his service and extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and former colleagues,” Sykes said.

President of the Court of Appeal Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, OJ, CD, said Patterson’s contribution to the Court of Appeal formed an important part of its history.

“Having served first as its registrar and later as a Judge of Appeal, he brought to the Bench a deep understanding of the court and the administration of justice. We honour his service and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones,” she said.

Patterson also served as deputy clerk of courts, clerk of courts and Crown counsel before being appointed Registrar of the Court of Appeal on July 1, 1972.

He subsequently served as Registrar of the Supreme Court from February 16, 1976, to June 23, 1981.

On June 24, 1981, he was appointed a Puisne Judge, serving until April 23, 1995, when he was appointed a Judge of Appeal. He served on the Court of Appeal until September 28, 1999, when he retired.

His judicial service is reflected in the records of the Jamaican courts, including decisions delivered during his tenure on the Supreme Court Bench.

Patterson continued to serve the country following his retirement from the Bench. In 2000, he served as chairman of the Commission of Enquiry into the forced removal of homeless people from Montego Bay to St Elizabeth.

The judiciary extended condolences to Patterson’s family, loved ones, former colleagues and members of the wider legal fraternity.