Above: the swearing in ceremony (Photo: OG Puerto Rico)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Judge Liana Fiol Matta has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.

Fiol Matta was appointed by Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla in April and confirmed by the Senate unanimously in May.

She is a graduate of the School of Law at the University of Puerto Rico and holds a master’s degree and doctorate from Columbia University in New York.

She has previously served as a Judge of the Court of Appeals and had served as an associate judge of the Supreme Court since 2004.

“Fiol Matta has promised to perform her duties with sensitivity, dedication to service, transparency and respect for differences,” Garcia Padilla said. “I am sure that her presidency will strengthen each of those pillars that upholds not only the judiciary, but all public service.”

She succeeds Federico Hernandez Denton, who had served in the post for 10 years.