Four Jamaican High Court Justices Honoured with National Distinction
In a significant event celebrating the dedication and contributions to the Jamaican judicial system, four distinguished members of the judiciary were honoured with national awards. The ceremony, which took place at King’s House in Kingston on National Heroes Day, October 21, celebrated Justices David Batts, Evan Brown, Bertram Morrison, and Lorna Shelly-Williams, who were each conferred with the prestigious Order of Distinction.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes commended the justices for their exceptional service to governance, the rule of law, and the enhancement of democracy in Jamaica. He stated, "I wish to congratulate the justices who have received national recognition for their service. Each recipient has contributed immensely to the judiciary and served the people of Jamaica excellently."
The award is not only a personal accolade for the honorees but also a testament to the achievements and progress within the Jamaican judiciary. Chief Justice Sykes highlighted several of these developments, including a successful backlog reduction in case processing and the inauguration of a new court building in St Ann. Moreover, the Jamaican judiciary’s membership in the International Consortium for Court Excellence and its ongoing pursuit of ISO certification illustrates its commitment to improving court efficiency and service delivery.
These enhancements align with Jamaica’s broader Public Sector Modernisation Unit’s Service Excellence Programme, underscoring efforts to improve service delivery across the public sector.
Chief Justice Sykes expressed hope that the awards would inspire continued excellence, encouraging the honourees and those who follow to further contribute to making Jamaica an exemplary place to live, work, and raise families. He remarked, "May this award be a celebration of excellence, a reminder of the work still to be done, and an encouragement to continue striving to make Jamaica the place to live, work, do business, and raise families, thereby enabling Jamaica to continue playing her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race."
The national recognition of these justices illustrates their fundamental role in upholding justice and democracy in Jamaica, reflecting the nation’s deep respect and gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the legal system and society at large.
