Patterson Cheltenham to be fifth Chief Justice of Barbados

Patterson Cheltenham has been announced to be the new Chief Justice of Barbados, and the appointment would be immediately effected from November 1, 2020. Cheltenham will supersede Sir Marston Gibson, who indicated his plan to retire from the office he endured for over nine years.

Cheltenham will become the fifth individual to hold this position after Barbados gained independence in June 1966.

Barbados’ different post-Independence Chief Justices include Sir William Douglas (1965 to 1986), Sir Denys Williams (1987 to 2001) and Sir David Simmons, who held the position from 2002 to 2010.

The government started to advertise to fill the vacancy of Chief Justice and the Justice of Appeal. All candidates were shortlisted and examined by the Judicial Appointments Committee, which then made its proposals to the Prime Minister who later consulted with the Leader of the Opposition before giving her consent.

This is the first time that the respective method was used for the appointment of Chief Justice; however, it was earlier utilised to make other judicial appointments in the country.

Talking about his recent appointment, Patterson Cheltenham stated that he looks forward to bring his professional energy to the task at hand.

Cheltenham would preside over so far Barbados’ most comprehensive judiciary, which now includes five Criminal Court judges, as well as three each in the Commercial and Family Courts and four handling general Civil matters. Additionally, the Chief Justice and four senior judges make up the Court of Appeal.