Newly appointed Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh is promising to leave the Judiciary in a better place than he found it.
The former Appeal Court judge and seasoned jurist, with a career spanning over three decades, was officially sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Justice on Wednesday afternoon, replacing Mr. Ivor Archie, who held the position for 17 years.
Justice Boodoosingh, who has been an Attorney-at-Law since 1992, was most recently elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 2020, but had previously presided in both the Criminal and Civil Courts for 13 years.
Speaking at the official swearing-in ceremony at President’s House on Wednesday afternoon, he assured the citizenry of his dedication to the role and his intention to serve with integrity.
“I wish to assure the members of the national community of my commitment to Trinidad and Tobago, to ensuring that I perform the functions of the Chief Justice to the best of my ability. I wish to give you my commitment of hard work, of dedication to duty, and that through it all I will try to walk humbly. I understand how important this office is to the nation, to our country. I will attempt to build on the platform of the previous Chief Justice and the Chief Justices who have gone before me to ensure that when it is time to move on, that I too, like Chief Justice Archie, would leave the judiciary in a better place than I met it.”
Chief Justice Boodoosingh also took time to highlight his predecessor, Justice Ivor Archie, for his significant contribution to the judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago.
“We got through COVID with the transformation to electronic filing and virtual courtrooms. There’s been a wide expansion of the number of judicial officers serving the nation. There has been improvement to various parts of the justice system, the rolling out of a specialised children and family court. He has built many relationships, and is invested in the human resources of the Judiciary. Trinidad and Tobago owes our outgoing Chief Justice the deepest debt of gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Acting President Wade Mark expressed confidence in Justice Boodoosingh in his new role.
“Your elevation to this distinguished office is a reflection of your integrity, your unwavering dedication to justice.”
He also thanked former Chief Justice Ivor Archie for his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago.
“Seventeen years of leadership at the helm of the Judiciary is no ordinary achievement.”
Chief Justice Boodoosingh has promised to communicate with the national community through the media soon.