Hilary Phillips QC - File

PROMINENT QUEEN'S Counsel Hilary Phillips has been appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal. She will be sworn in on July 20 at King's House.

Miss Phillips, who specialises in civil litigation and complex commercial cases, has been practising since 1974.

"She has served the profession and the country in various capacities, and I certainly believe that she has much to offer as a member of the judiciary," says Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, president of the Jamaican Bar Association.

President of the Advocates Association of Jamaica, George Soutar, says: "She has practised with distinction and has been active in other areas of the profession. I think it is a good appointment."

Miss Phillips is the daughter of the late Sir Rowland Phillips who retired as chief justice of Jamaica.

contribution to public service

"I have always wanted to make a contribution to the public service," she said on Friday when asked why she was leaving her lucrative practice for the bench.

"I am also in agreement with my father, who always told me that one of the most noble endeavours is to give to public service. So, I have always wanted to do so, and I guess the time is right."

Miss Phillips has pledged to do her very best.

A retired Court of Appeal Judge has described Miss Phillips as a brilliant advocate and said, "Her fairness and calmness will be a great addition to the Court of Appeal. She has wide experience in civil litigation, and this is an area that the Court of Appeal always needs - people with that sort of range."

The retired judge said Miss Phillips had appeared in several big cases in the Court of Appeal and the United Kingdom Privy Council and had invaluable experience in advocacy trials. "I have no doubt she will be an adornment to the Court of Appeal," the retired judge added.

Miss Phillips is a past student of St Andrew High School and a graduate of the University of the West Indies. She was called to the Bar on August 8, 1974. She was appointed queen's counsel in April 1998.

Miss Phillips is a member of the General Legal Council and was president of the Jamaican Bar Association from 2001-2004. She has been an associate tutor at the Norman Manley Law School since 1994, and was vice-president of the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations from 2003-2006.

She has served in several other organisations and has been the Justice Reform chairman since 2007.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com