Three New Judges Sworn In At State House

Three new judges were sworn in at State House today.

President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, administered the Oaths of Office to Madam Justice Corlita Babb-Schaefer, PhD; Madam Justice Wanda Blair; and Madam Justice Donna Babb-Agard, who is a temporary judge.

At the end of the brief ceremony, Dame Sandra congratulated the judges and described them as stalwarts of the law. She said they were “capable young ladies”, and expressed confidence that they would perform well in their new role.

Chief Justice Leslie Haynes said he was pleased with the appointments. “I’m very happy because they are the stalwarts of the legal system…. Justice Babb-Agard has been the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions); Justice Blair has acted about three years now in this position, and it’s about time that she’s sworn in as a permanent appointment, and Justice Babb-Schaefer has done excellent work as a Master of the High Court, and she truly deserves her appointment.

“I’m looking forward to working with each of them and to improving the efficiency of the administration of justice now that we have a nearly full complement of judges.”

The judges are excited to serve in this capacity. Mrs. Babb-Schaefer, who was called to the Bar 30 years ago, hopes to contribute to the efficiency in the judiciary to render justice where possible.

She continued: “So from my perspective, I hope to do some of the same things that I did as Master of the High Court, and that is to get out the orders and the approved draft orders within the week in which they are made, so that counsel can take the necessary step….”

Mrs. Blair’s entire career has been in the public service, including in Guyana, where she started. She has worked in Barbados for 24 years, and over time, she has had several short stints acting as a high court judge. She has also acted as a judge continuously for the past two years.

About her appointment, she stated: “I’m looking forward to continuing to serve efficiently and to doing my best to address the backlog and to contribute to the administration of justice in Barbados.” 

Describing her legal journey as an amazing one, Mrs. Babb-Agard, who has worked in government for over 33 years, gave the assurance that she will “continue to put my best foot forward in the service of the Government and the people of Barbados”. (PR/GIS)

President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason (second from right) and Chief Justice Leslie Haynes (second from left) pose with the three new judges (from left to right) – Madam Justice Donna Babb-Agard; Madam Justice Corlita Babb-Schaefer, PhD; and Madam Justice Wanda Blair