A BILL TO amend the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, which could facilitate the appointment of United States-based jurist Marston Gibson as Barbados’ next Chief Justice, might be laid before the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
Government sources have told the SUNDAY SUN that the new bill has been finally drafted after several weeks.
If placed on the Order Paper, fierce debate is expected, with the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) taking a strong position against the new amendment.
Last January, reports were that Government would make the move to amend the law, clear the way to appoint Gibson, who does not meet all the legal appointment criteria for Chief Justice.
If the bill is passed, sources say, Gibson could take up the appointment of Chief Justice from April 1.
Justice Sherman Moore, who has acted in the capacity for just over a year, had his acting appointment extended to March 31.
The proposed amendment has also brought strong objection from the Barbados Bar Association’s new president Andrew Pilgrim and past Leslie Haynes, QC.
Senior attorney Ralph Thorne, QC, also took issue with the mooted amendment during a recent lecture at the Tom Adams Financial Centre.
