One Year Up, Carlos Simons, QC set to leave the Supreme Court bench

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, March 12, 2022 – As of March 31^st, 2022 Judge, Carlos Simons, QC will no longer preside at the Supreme Court, he will be completed his one year tenure and there will be no new trials for his Lordship.

From the onset, it was made known that Simons would serve only one year.

In April 2021, His Excellency Nigel Dakin, Turks and Caicos Islands Governor informed that, “At the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission I have sworn in Mr. Carlos Simons QC to be a Judge in the Turks and Caicos for one year, commencing 1^st April.  This will strengthen the Bench, temporarily, not least to help reduce the number of offenders who we have on remand who could not receive a Jury trial during COVID.”

Last week, on March 8, 2022 the Chief Justice instructed for a notice to be issued to inform that the tenure for Judge Simons will run its course by month’s end.

“The Honourable Chief Justice has directed me to inform you that the Hon Mr. Justice Carlos Simons, OBE, QC will demit office as Judge of the Supreme Court on 31^st March, 2022.  The Judge will therefore, not be commencing any new trials at this time.”

Carlos Simons has become an invaluable resource to the judiciary.  Governor Dakin reminded that this was not the first time the attorney, who has his own private practice has filled in to keep the system of Justice flowing.

At the time of his appointment last year, the Governor said it was the second time Mr. Simons has been appointed; previously he served in 2020.

In this one year term, Justice Simons played a key role in sorting out an election challenge.  Governor Dakin secured his help in the case of the Vote Tally Discrepancies of the 2021 General Elections.  It was work done pro bono and settled a row about votes which were tallied correctly, but recorded incorrectly for two election candidates.

Certainly an interesting year for the Justice, who on Tuesday March 29 at 10am will be honoured with a special sitting, said the Registrar.