Burdened Chief Magistrate ‘to quit’ - sources
Sources close to the Acting Chief Magistrate, Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday disclosed that she is to resign next year.


Juliet Holder-Allen

Stabroek News was told the Chief Magistrate is currently working under pressure and is burdened in the execution of her duties. According to the source, Holder-Allen feels her career is at a standstill with the delay in the composition of the Judicial Service Commission.
When contacted yesterday, the Chief Magistrate refused to comment except to say she was re-considering her position.
This newspaper was told that several magistrates are to go on leave in November and will resume duties next year along with another magistrate who has been out of office since June.
Another magistrate will attend to sessions in the North West District on a rotating basis every three weeks.
Sources said that the Chief Magistrate is expected to hear new matters in her court from three other courts in the Georgetown district and also those from out of town areas in the absence of the magistrates.
They disclosed that Holder-Allen has been handling a number of court cases in addition to those heard in her court for several months and the process is ongoing.
According to them, the Chief Magistrate had applied for leave a few months ago and is still awaiting a response.

Friday October 31, 2003