Today, the media asked the former attorney general about the state of the judiciary and he said he too finds it offensive to see so many foreign judges on the high courts:
Mike Peryfitte, UDP Chairman
"As an officer of the court I want to be very careful that I don't even appear to disrespect the court. But my position on this is documented. I've always had a difficulty with foreigners occupying most, any judicial position or senior position within the government period. I said the last time to the press that you take an example like Jamaica. All the scores of judges that they have on their bench not one is a non Jamaican. And to see so many foreign judges sitting in the senior courts I am a bit offended by that. I refuse to believe that we do not have able and willing Belizeans who could sit on the bench and take up those positions. And I sat in the senate and when I see a chief justice getting a package of about 500,000 for the year my first thought is without even knowing the person why can't that benefit go to a Belizean?"
According to the president of the bar, Belizean lawyers simply didn't apply for the posts.
