Nothing wrong with consultation process for choosing next Chief Justice - Chuck

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has given more details on the reasons why he has harshly criticised the Jamaican Bar Association, JAMBAR, over its recommendation for the Prime Minister to advertise the post of Chief Justice.

Mr. Chuck has explained that the consultation process involves a wide pool of persons and so advertising remains unnecessary.

The Justice Minister blasted the association after it published a letter sent to the Prime Minister asking for the post to be advertised before the current Chief Justice retires in January, saying the Association's approach was improper.

Mr. Chuck reiterated that the Constitution gives the Prime Minister the authority to fill the post after consultation with the Opposition Leader.

Mr. Chuck, speaking Wednesday on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines, argued that the consultation process is wide enough to get adequate recommendations for candidates.

“To the best of my knowledge, the Prime Minister is consulting with a wide number of persons; I know he has asked, and I’ve encouraged him to consult as widely as possible, so you get the best (person)”, he said.

The Justice Minister said he had even asked his predecessor, Mark Golding (now in opposition), “who would he suggest”, and the Prime Minister had consulted the Leader of the Opposition on the matter.

Nevertheless, the Jamaican Bar Association (JAMBAR) has reacted with disappointment at the position taken by Mr. Chuck.

JAMBAR President Jacqueline Cummings has sought to explain that the letter was not an attempt to usurp the powers and functions of the Prime Minister.

The recommendation that the post be advertised was merely to “increase the greater independence of the judiciary” and enhance the transparency of the recruitment process, which, according to her, had not yet started when the letter was written, even though the current Chief Justice would be demitting office shortly.