Five New Justices Sworn In to Court of Appeal—Majority Are Women
By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA—On Wednesday, five new justices—60 % of whom are women — were officially sworn into the Court of Appeal, a significant step toward enhancing the judicial landscape of Guyana.
The new appellate judges are:
- Justice Jo-Ann Barlow
- Justice Narendra Singh
- Justice Nareshwar Harnanan
- Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry
- Justice Dr. Joycelin Kyte-Thomas
Justices Damon Young and Rafiq Khan, SC, are expected to be sworn in later.
The appointments were made based on the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) recommendation and are seen as instrumental in fortifying the nation’s judicial infrastructure, particularly at the appellate level.
President Irfaan Ali, delivering remarks at the swearing-in ceremony, emphasized that expanding the appellate bench is timely and critical, especially as the demand for swift and reliable appellate review continues to grow.
“Your pronouncements will shape jurisprudence, guide future adjudication, and influence how justice is experienced in our Republic,” the President stated.
He further called on the newly appointed justices to exercise their roles with diligence, impartiality, and fairness, adding that their conduct must inspire national confidence in the administration of justice.
“Let your tenure on the appellate bench be marked by a commitment to the ideals of justice, fairness, and equity,” President Ali urged.
The latest appointments mark an important moment for gender representation in Guyana’s judiciary. Women forming the majority of those sworn in are an encouraging sign of diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of legal decision-making.
