00:00Opposition leader Palen P. Beckles, who is an attorney at law, was among the specially invited guests who heard Chief Justice Ivor Archie announce that he will retire sometime during the 2025-2026 law term.
00:13If I recall correctly, I think he did indicate that it was something he was considering.
00:18I think what he has done is brought some clarity to those who had concerns that he's going to retire as distinct from resign.
00:24He gave a good analysis of his, I think, almost two decades on the bench.
00:33Speaking with the media after the opening ceremony, the opposition leader fielded a question about what had been done to ease the judiciary's challenges while the former PNM administration, which she was a part of, had been in office.
00:46In terms of the decisions taken by Dr. Rowley during the period 2015-2025 and the attorney generals that served at the time, obviously it's really very, very important decisions that were made, infrastructural decisions as well in terms of the San Fernando court and the multiplicity of courts.
01:06Opposition leader Beckles also commented on Chief Justice Archie's reference to the Prime Minister's proposal for a Lord Chancellor for the judiciary.
01:14My first response is, do not panic.
01:18The Prime Minister has offered to support the judiciary's administration, which is not in itself a bad thing.
01:24She has also promised public consultation, to which we look forward.
01:29Until there's a concrete proposal to discuss, as in who appoints, who report the reporting lines, job descriptions, etc., we should not speculate.
01:41For example, when he spoke about the Prime Minister's recommendation as it relates to the Lord Chancellor, and he made some comparisons to Guyana and to Britain, and that, you know, he believes that one of the important things, if you're going to make a decision like that, the issue of consultations is important.
02:00In acknowledging the Chief Justice's tenure has not been without controversy, the opposition leader was asked to define his legacy.
02:07I think transformation of the court, and clearly presenting the kind of data, as he said, he understands that the concerns of the public is legitimate.
02:18In other words, he's recognizing that people do have reasons still to complain, but it's a work in progress.
02:25It's a question of attracting judges.
02:28It's a question of ensuring that those who you want to come and serve, who have the kind of experience, how can you attract them?
02:36Opposition leader Beckles said another part of Chief Justice Archie's legacy would be the introduction of artificial intelligence in the judiciary's operations.
02:46Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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