Consultations between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin on the appointments of a Chancellor and Chief Justice ended in another deadlock yesterday, with both parties still holding firm to their original positions.
Speaking to this newspaper last evening, Corbin said he and Jagdeo could not agree on who would be Chancellor of the Judiciary, which he blamed on the intransigence of the President, who, he said, was unprepared to go beyond his original nomination to find consensus.
The President wants Chief Justice Carl Singh, who had been acting as Chancellor, to be the substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary. Sections of the media had reported that Justice Singh would remain as acting Chancellor while Justice of Appeal Ian Chang, would act as Chief Justice.
Corbin told Stabroek News that even though he suggested that the President utilize his own formula with respect to the establishment of a search committee to identify an acceptable candidate, who has national consensus, this did not find favour with the President.
Two years ago, Jagdeo had announced that a search committee would be set up to find a suitable candidate for the post of Chief Justice. Corbin said he requested a report from this committee, but none was forthcoming.
“It was quite surprising that the President could not provide me with the results of the mysterious search committee that was appointed by him two years ago,” Corbin said.
Because of the deadlock, Corbin said, discussions shifted to acting appointments. Corbin said he recommended that Justice Chang be made acting Chancellor, “
