Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas is warning that Guyana’s prolonged reliance on acting appointments to its two highest judicial offices risks weakening judicial independence, arguing that the Chancellor and Chief Justice must have secure tenure to make decisions without fear of political or career consequences.

Speaking to the Guyana Business Journal, Jonas said the word “acting” carries serious implications for judges occupying senior positions that remain subject to confirmation.

“The word acting means that they have not been confirmed and therefore under the law and under the system, they shall be replaced and another acting appointment put in, as was done very recently with acting Chancellor Cummings.”