Retired judge to remain on bench for three more years

Justice Barry Carrington, due to retire this week, has been appointed to serve a further three years as an acting judge of the High Court, in a move reflecting ongoing efforts to address court backlogs and improve efficiency in the judiciary.

He described the contract appointment as both an honour and a continuation of his commitment to public service.

Carrington, who officially joined the bench in 2019 after acting in the role a year earlier, spoke to reporters at State House on Wednesday after being sworn in by President Sandra Mason as an acting judge of the High Court, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to extend his judicial service.

“My retirement day is tomorrow [Thursday], my birthday, but I am honoured to be given this opportunity to continue on contract for another three years. It would be a continuation of the work that I have started; in the last five and a half years I worked fairly hard. I believe I added value, and I love my job,” he said.

“I welcome this opportunity and as I said I’m deeply honoured to be asked to stay on for another three years just to continue to do the work that I’ve started. I’m going to redouble my efforts and work equally as hard, in the interest of the people of Barbados.”

Carrington’s extension comes at a time when the judiciary is under increasing pressure to reduce case backlogs and improve the efficiency of the court system.

The mandatory retirement age for judges in Barbados is 65 years for High Court judges, who may continue serving until age 67 with the President’s approval. For higher judicial positions, the chief justice and justices of appeal retire at 70, extendable to 72 under the same approval process.

(SB)