Above, from left: newly-appointed Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Hazel Harris, Justice Seymour Panton and Govenor-General Sir Patrick Allen (JIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaican Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen swore in two new judges to the Jamaican Supreme Court and one judge to the Court of Appeal in a ceremony today at King’s House.

Justice Patrick Brooks was sworn in as a judge of the Court of Appeal, and Judges Evon Brown and Nicole Simmons were sworn in as Puisne Judges (associate judges) of the Supreme Court.

Court of Appeal Justice Hazel Harris was also sworn in as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal while Justice Seymour Panton goes on vacation leave.

“We have come to the 50th year of nationhood and your appointments to function at this time must also be considered in the context of the maturity and the stage that we have reached as a nation,” the Governor-General told the judges.

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla said there should be progress this year in meeting the needs of Jamaica’s justice system, led by the expected expansion of the Supreme Court by May.

McCalla said she had been informed that the Judicial Services Commission had been conducting interviews and identified suitable candidates for the posts.