THE EDITOR, Madam:
NOW THAT it seems certain that we will have a long overdue Caribbean Court of Justice, we must now concentrate on the establishment of a system that produces judges of the highest calibre for that bench and a most efficient support machinery. The former I think, as a member of the Jamaican Bar Association, is the often cloaked concern of the Association as it is not entirely happy with the present system of appointments to our courts.
This concern is shared by the general membership of the Bar, and am sure is understood by the government comprising as it does several prominent attorneys including the Minister of Justice, Mr. Knight and Prime Minister Patterson.
The promised Codes of Ethics for judges at all levels could go a far way in improving the judiciary, and one of the Codes I would like to see is one for sanction against any judge, who not negligently or mistakenly but deliberately, wrongfully and unlawfully refuses to apply the law in any particular case and instead delivers arbitrary ruling and judgment, (judgment includes order).
The sanction should include removal from the bench and the payment of all costs including party and party costs and damages, if any, resulting from unlawful action. No public officer including judges are employed to do anything contrary to law and judges in particular should not be seen to be above the law and consider themselves as guardians and champions of the rule of law.
I am, etc.,
OWEN S. CROSBIE
3 Hotel Street
Mandeville
