By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SENIOR Justice Deborah Fraser was officially sworn in yesterday as a permanent Justice of the Court of Appeal during a ceremony at Government House.

Justice Fraser previously served as director of legal affairs in the Office of the Attorney General, Acting Registrar General, and as a Justice of the Supreme Court.

“I’m looking forward now to going on to the Court of Appeal, where basically you would get more in-depth submissions on the law and contribute to the development and the advancement of the law in terms of what gaps there are, what changes can be recommended,” she said.

She expressed gratitude for the support received over her 38-year career in public service and reflected on her responsibilities in litigation, legislative drafting, and civil matters. On the Supreme Court, she served for about five years on the criminal bench before transitioning to the civil bench.

Court of Appeal president Milton Evans welcomed her appointment and praised their longstanding professional relationship.

“It’s a pleasure for me to continue that relationship to someone who has always been diligent, always interested in the law, and basically is a comfortable person to work with,” he said. “I look forward to the time that she will be with us and the contribution that she will make, and I have no doubt that the contribution she makes will be a valuable one.”

Chief Justice Ian Winder called her elevation a significant achievement, stating the opportunity was “well deserved” and “well earned”.

“We will certainly miss you on the Supreme Court bench because you were a diligent, efficient judge. You never hear a complaint about a judgment from Justice Fraser taking too long to be delivered. So certainly you leave the Supreme Court with a very unblemished record in that regard,” he said.