The roof on the stairways to the country's highest courts famously collapsed this week, but there could also be a collapse of sorts happening on the bench. Concerned observers in the legal community are questioning whether or not Belize's judiciary will lose as many as four sitting judges of the Supreme Court in just a few weeks.
We are reliably informed that two of the judges loaned to Belize from the Commonwealth have indicated that they can continue to preside over cases in Belize, but only remotely. Justices Sonya Young and Lisa Shoman are also leaving to take up other appointments.
So, when we had an interview with the President of the Bar Association of Belize today, we asked about it. The Bar has representation on the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, which is responsible for the appointment of judicial officers. So, how far along is the Commission in identifying suitable candidates to fill those posts that will become vacant? Here's what the Bar President had to say:
