Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says judges interpret the law as its written, in response to criticism by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has stressed that judges interpret the law as its written and cannot be dictated to.

He was reacting to criticisms by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, in relation to the Child Diversion Programme.

Mr. Chuck had claimed that some judges were misinterpreting the law, citing reports that they had children enter a guilty plea prior to being referred to the Diversion Programme.

Speaking yesterday at the conversation with the judiciary, Justice Sykes reiterated that government has 3 separate but equal arms; the judiciary, the legislature and the executive.

He pointed out that no one, can direct a judge as to how to interpret a law.

He added that if the executive has an issue with what a judicial officer does, then the legislature can review and change the wording of the law.