3 days ago
6
The Government’s recruitment of foreign judicial officers is also coming under scrutiny, with retired Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer questioning whether qualified Belizean attorneys are being given a fair opportunity to serve on the bench. Frazer says that while foreign judges continue to be contracted, local legal professionals who possess the necessary experience and qualifications are seemingly being overlooked. She argues that the situation creates an uneven playing field and believes the Bar Association should be more vocal in defending the professional interests of Belizean attorneys.
Sharon Frazer, Former Senior Magistrate: “I must say for somebody who has been practicing for as long as I am, I was very disappointed because I would have come back to my country, made sacrifices, thinking that in fact there was an association that would fight for me and all the other attorneys in Belize. The truth of the matter is I can’t go be a judge in Trinidad. I can’t be a judge in Guyana. I can’t be a judge in Barbados. The situation is that I decided to come home and give back to the government and people of this country. I didn’t run away, I stayed and I did what I needed to have done and here I am and I’m sitting and I’m saying okay so these people who are being appointed, what do they have over somebody like myself? And the truth is the only thing they have is that that they’re not Belizean. So what does that say? At least that’s the question I’ve been asking. And why I’m disappointed about the release from the Bar Association is because they’re supposed to be representing me and other attorneys. And that is not how it felt. It felt as if they were representing the status quo. If you look at the laws and you look at what it’s saying, the association is supposed to be doing, it makes you wonder, right? It makes me wonder and I’m sure there are others who are wondering what is the purpose of then belonging to an association if they’re not going to fight for us.”
Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre has reportedly indicated that the selection process has not yet been finalized. Frazer, however, remains unconvinced, saying that based on the circumstances surrounding the proposed appointment, she believes the decision has effectively already been made.
Sharon Frazer, Former Senior Magistrate: “The process is still ongoing because officially, officially, it is not a done deal until the Governor-General puts her stamp of approval. And so he’s right, it’s not done. But traditionally, man come on people, traditionally once that recommendation comes out it is a done deal. Because yes the Prime Minister has to concur. So he could probably say, “Well, given all that is happening, I will not concur.” But people tell me what is the likelihood of that happening? The Governor General is a creature of the Constitution and says that she must follow the recommendation from certain aspects. And in this case, follow the recommendation of the general of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission with the concurrence of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. Now, the AG would have said it is in the consultation stage but I will tell you consultation does not mean that it is a veto. Consultation is just that. You accept it or you don’t. That is what it is. It’s just that so if they Lead up the Opposition says “well I don’t agree.” that means nothing in the grand scheme of things.”
Frazer’s comments add to an ongoing debate within the legal community over the appointment of judicial officers and the opportunities available to Belizean lawyers. While foreign judges have historically been recruited to address vacancies and bring specialised experience to the judiciary, Frazer maintains that suitably qualified local candidates should be provided a fair and transparent path to appointment.
English (US) ·