Judges ‘have no need for corrupt practices’, says Appeal Court head

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, has launched a staunch defence of the island's judiciary, declaring that judges have no need to engage in corrupt practices for monetary benefits.

According to her, despite years of low wages and poor working conditions, judges have consistently upheld their integrity and avoided corruption.

"We (the judges) have no need for corrupt practices because all of us have approached the bench as a calling," said McDonald-Bishop at Thursday's swearing-in ceremony for 31 new justices of the peace (JPs) at Church Teachers' College in Mandeville, Manchester.

"Our motivation is not money, but service to humanity, to the best of our abilities, and in accordance with the constitution that is the supreme law," she insisted.

The Appeal Court president's declarations came amid years of assertions in both the public domain and on social media, that local judges are corrupt. 

Claims of corruption have also followed rulings handed down in several high-profile cases, including the decision not to order a retrial of dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel and three others for the 2011 murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.

McDonald-Bishop was among the three Appeal Court judges who opted against the retrial.

But on Thursday, the island's first female Appeal Court president challenged those labelling the island's judges as corrupt, to prove their assertions against them.

"Of course, persons will talk. They'll say, 'Oh, the justice system is corrupt', or 'The judges are corrupt'. But I say to them, and I say it boldly in relation to our judges, bring the evidence and bring it on, because I know you will never be able to prove it," McDonald-Bishop argued sternly.

She said Jamaica has "the finest set of judges", and they obey the judicial conduct guidelines, which she acknowledged are not in a statute.

McDonald-Bishop further stated that the choice of entering the justice system should never be motivated by personal financial gain.

She said those driven by "pecuniary rewards" are ill-suited for a career in the administration of justice, as taking the oath or making an affirmation (when being appointed as a judge) is a solemn commitment made with full accountability to God.

"... Even when you didn't take that oath, God saw you and He heard you and He is going to hold you accountable," McDonald-Bishop stated.