Legal Community Raises Alarm Over Appointment of Foreign Magistrates

There is growing concern within Belize’s legal community following reports that six new magistrates have recently been appointed, the majority of whom are foreign nationals.  Love News understands that four of the newly appointed magistrates are from Trinidad and Tobago, while another is from Sri Lanka. The development has reportedly caused unease among local attorneys, and the Association of Defense Attorneys, ADA, is preparing a formal public response.  According to information reaching our newsroom, the ADA is questioning why the Belize Judicial and Legal Services Commission continues to recruit from abroad despite there being more than one hundred and fifty practicing Belizean attorneys who could potentially fill those posts.  The concern extends beyond the Magistracy. Love News has also been informed that two High Court judge vacancies were recently advertised locally, but two applicants, including a former Senior Magistrate with prosecutorial experience, were rejected. The positions are now reportedly being advertised internationally, raising fears that additional foreign judges could soon be appointed.  At present, only two Belizean judges sit in the High Court, Justices Michelle Arana and Antoinette Moore.  On the lower court level, there are also staffing gaps. There is currently no sitting magistrate in Benque Viejo del Carmen or Dangriga, while courts in Independence, San Ignacio, San Pedro and Punta Gorda are presided over by foreign magistrates, an issue the ADA has repeatedly flagged over the years.  Among the local magistrates currently serving are Tricia Pitts, Manon Dennison, Christina Herrera and Aretha Ford, while the Orange Walk magistrate recently resigned from office.  Love News understands a statement from the Association of Defense Attorneys is expected shortly as debate continues over the balance between local capacity and imported judicial personnel.  Our newsroom continues to follow this developing story.