ARCHIE SEEKS AFRICAN SUPPORT TO JOIN ICJ

CHIEF Justice Ivor Archie is seeking to muster support on the African continent for his candidacy of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

Archie is attending the triennial conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, in Accra, Ghana. 

Sunshine Today had reported exclusively that Archie, 62, is eyeing a seat as a judge on the prestigious ICJ upon the retirement next March of eminent Jamaican Patrick Robinson, 78. 

The 77-year-old ICJ, also called the World Court, allows two of its 15 judges to be from the Latin American and Caribbean region. 

Archie, who has been Chief Justice since 2008, is expected to have the support of CARICOM countries. 

Senior government officials reportedly lobbied regional leaders who visited T&T recently. 

Should Archie vacate the CJ’s chair, several Appeal Court jurists could be considered to succeed him. 

They include Justice Allan Mendonca, who has acted as CJ on several occasions and is considered the most senior Appeal Court judge. 

Justices Nolan Bereaux, Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, and Charmaine Pemberton are also possible contenders. 

The vacancy would be filled by President Paula Mae-Weekes, a retired Appeal Court judge. 

The appointment of Archie to the ICJ, which is based in The Hague, Holland, would free him from controversies that have dogged his stewardship. 

The Law Association has sought to have him removed from office. 

To be appointed an ICJ judge, a candidate must have met the qualifications to be a jurist in his homeland and be of high moral standing.