Guyana’s Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George-Wiltshire has issued a compelling appeal to the government, urging full compliance with constitutional provisions guaranteeing financial independence for the judicial branch. The call came during her address at the ceremonial opening of the 2026 Law Year, attended by government officials including Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
Chancellor George-Wiltshire emphasized the critical need for implementing Article 122(a) of Guyana’s Constitution, which mandates that all courts shall be administratively autonomous and funded through direct charges upon the Consolidated Fund. This constitutional provision further establishes that judicial entities must operate under sound financial and administrative management principles while maintaining complete independence from political, executive, or any other form of direction and control.
The judiciary head highlighted Guyana’s pioneering role within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), noting that the nation was the first to grant such autonomy to its judicial system. She stressed that full implementation of these fiscal management provisions is essential not only to fulfill constitutional obligations but also to maintain regional leadership in judicial independence.
George-Wiltshire’s address specifically called for the judiciary’s return to being a fully self-accounting entity that manages its own tender processes while maintaining accountability to Parliament regarding expenditure of its budgetary allocation. This move would reinforce the separation of powers and ensure the judiciary’s ability to function without external influence or financial constraints that might compromise its independence.