BY SHARON AUSTIN –  MAY 24, 2024 

There was a special sitting of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Court No. 1 today to mark Justice Leslie Haynes’ ascension to the office of Chief Justice.

Former Chief Justices Sir David Simmons and Sir Patterson Cheltenham, along with several judges, and attorneys-at-law attended the historic session.

Acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams congratulated the Chief Justice on his elevation and the selection of additional justices of the Court of the Appeal and judges of the court, saying he was pleased with the recent developments.

Mr. Abrahams continued: “This is an interesting time to become Chief Justice, we are in the process of some serious legislative changes…. We need to deconstruct and reconstruct, we need to rethink the processes…, we need to reimagine, Sir, what we want our justice system to look like in the next five years….

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to correct all of the things that are wrong; we have to acknowledge the things that might be wrong, the problems that we have that plague us; [and] address and look for ways to do them better.”

The Minister proffered the view that the island was at a pivotal point in the justice system and indicated that once the necessary changes were made, it would be a proud moment for all.

He acknowledged that the island continues to be plagued by delays in the delivery of judgements and a backlog of cases and stressed that a number of mechanisms were being put in place to address those issues.

He lauded the recent Child Protection and Child Justice legislation, opining that they heralded a new way of thinking and a new approach to justice for a specific class of persons.

He expressed the view that the approach should also guide this new era of the jurisprudence and justice system as the island moves forward.

During his presentation, Chief Justice Haynes said he had taken the post at an opportune time, when things are happening.

“I pledge to the public of Barbados to continue the progress to a modern court system of which Barbadians can be comfortable,” Mr. Haynes stated in his wide-ranging address.

The new Chief Justice was admitted to the Bar in October 1980.