The Senate was supposed to meet yesterday to consider the appointment of two new Supreme Court judges, Minnete Hafiz and Herbert Lord. But when the Senate meeting was postponed, it fuelled rumors and rumblings that government had been spooked and the Lord appointment would not go through.
As we've reported, the Bar Association is bitterly opposed to Lord's promotion to the high court. That's why today the legal community was abuzz with rumours that government would be forced to back down from its decision because of State Department rumblings.
Well, wish as his detractors may, that's just not going to happen. Today, Attorney General Francis Fonseca confirmed to 7NEWS that the Senate meeting should happen next week, and he expects that Lord's appointment will be confirmed at that time. The Senate only requires a simple majority to approve an appointment. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission approved it last week.
Lord has worked in the magistracy for 30 years, and been Chief Magistrate for 10. One of the only trained attorneys who has chosen not to pursue his fortunes in private practice, he has made many controversial judgements. None more so than in September of last year when he set 'Pawpa' Brown free from an extradition request made by the United States.
