Chancellor renews call for judiciary’s financial, administrative autonomy

The Judiciary of Guyana has renewed calls for full financial and administrative independence, urging the Government to fully implement constitutional provisions that would allow the courts to manage their own finances and tender processes independently.

Speaking at the opening of the Law Year 2026 during a special sitting of the Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Judicature, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Roxane George, said the judiciary is still not operating as a fully self-accounting entity despite constitutional safeguards.

“Most importantly, I reiterate, the judiciary looks forward to full compliance with Article 122(A) of the Constitution of Guyana and the return of the judiciary to being a self-accounting entity which manages its tender processes with full accountability to Parliament regarding how it spends its budgetary allocation,” Chancellor George said.

Guyana’s Constitution, under Article 122(a), provides that subject to Articles 199 and 201, the judiciary is to function with full administrative independence and is to be financed through a direct allocation from the Consolidated Fund.

In keeping with this framework, the courts are required to manage their affairs in a manner that reflects prudent financial oversight and effective administrative governance.

The provision further affirms that the courts, along with judicial officers presiding over them, must carry out their duties without interference. It guarantees freedom from influence or control by any individual, institution, or branch of authority, ensuring independence from political, executive, or any other external direction.

Nevertheless, George-Wiltshire emphasised that judicial financial autonomy is not a move away from oversight but a necessary measure to improve efficiency and accountability in the court system. The Acting Chancellor linked delays caused by the current procurement framework to operational challenges within the judiciary.

“The sloth of the tender board system remains a challenge that often stymies court operations and the timely hearing of cases,” she said.

George-Wiltshire highlighted that Guyana has historically led the region in providing for judicial autonomy. However, she noted that full implementation of these constitutional provisions remains a work in progress.

“As far as I am aware, Guyana was the first territory in CARICOM to provide for such autonomy to the judiciary,” she said.

The Acting Chancellor also connected the need for financial independence to the judiciary’s broader modernisation efforts under the Strategic Plan 2024–2031. She noted that managing resources independently would allow the judiciary to pursue data-driven accountability measures and enhance service delivery.

“…the judiciary is committed to ensuring accountability by pursuing evidence-based data management across all levels of the court system, aligning closely with the Strategic Plan, which articulates our vision: ‘To encourage and maintain public trust and confidence through an independent, effective and accountable judicial system,’” George-Wiltshire said.
She stressed that financial autonomy would strengthen the judiciary’s ability to function efficiently while maintaining transparency and accountability to Parliament.