00:00Five judges of the High Court have been appointed to the Court of Appeal in a move the judiciary says
00:07will strengthen its capacity to administer justice.
00:10The appointment was signed off by President Christine Kangaloo on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission under
00:18Section 104 of the Constitution.
00:21The presentation ceremony was however done by Chief Justice Ronnie Budasinghe.
00:26He presented the instruments of appointment to the five judges at a ceremony at the Waterfront Judicial Center on Monday.
00:34The new Justices of Appeal are Frank Cipasad, Davindra Rampasad, Robin Mohammed, Averson Quinlan Williams and Margaret Mohammed.
00:43Their appointments bring the Court of Appeal to its full complement.
00:47Justice Cipasad has served on the High Court bench since April 2012 following 16 years in private practice.
00:54His judicial career has included significant decisions on constitutional rights, freedom of the press, defamation and commercial disputes.
01:04Justice Rampasad brings more than three decades of legal experience, including over 15 years as a High Court judge with
01:12expertise in civil litigation, judicial review and constitutional law.
01:16Justice Mohammed has contributed to judicial reform and legal education across the Caribbean, including work on civil and family procedure
01:26rules.
01:27Justice Quinlan Williams, a former prosecutor and magistrate, has also contributed to improving case management and the delivery of justice.
01:36Justice Margaret Mohammed brings experience in private legal practice, judicial administration and service within the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
01:46The Chief Justice has welcomed the appointments, expressing expectations that the increased capacity will enhance the Court of Appeal's performance
01:54in the administration of justice.
01:57The judiciary has congratulated the five judges as they take up their new responsibilities at the appellate level.
02:04Our Vashitamari Rupanarayan, TV6 News.
