Two female judges have been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Madame Justices Carol Gobin and Joan Charles will take up temporary positions in the Court of Appeal as the Judiciary moves to address critical vacancies.
In an official media release dated May 1, Chief Justice Roonie Boodoosingh presented instruments of appointment to the two judges, formally installing them as temporary judges in the Court of Appeal.
The appointments, which took place at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, were made by President Christine Carla Kangaloo on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC), as efforts intensify to strengthen the appellate bench.
The new judges join 12 others in the Court of Appeal. Only on Thursday, Justice Nolan Bereaux retired after 29 years on the Bench, of which 21 were served in the Court of Appeal.
Just recently, Court of Appeal Judge, Vasheist Kokaram, retired from the Bench to take up an appointment in the Court of Appeal in the Bahamas.
Justice Gobin, who was called to the Bar of England at Lincoln’s Inn in 1980, has served extensively in civil, criminal and family law. She has also played a key role in shaping the legal profession locally through her work with the Law Association’s Advocacy Training Programme.
Justice Charles, a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School, has built a career spanning criminal, civil and family law. She previously served as a Special Prosecutor and has held influential regional and international positions, including leadership roles within the Caribbean Association of Women Judges.
Both judges were appointed Puisne Judges of the Supreme Court in 2004 and are widely regarded as among the most experienced members of the High Court Bench.
The Judiciary said it welcomes their appointments, noting that their leadership and experience will be critical as the Court of Appeal continues to handle an increasing caseload.
Their elevation marks a significant moment in the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to maintain stability and efficiency at the appellate level while longer-term appointments are being finalized.
Francis Joseph
