His Lordship Richard Floyd, Dominica’s newly appointed resident judge, has revealed, following an eight-month stint in Dominica, that his appointment to the bench is being interrupted by a medical condition that requires treatment.
Earlier this week, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission announced the resignation of His Lordship, as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court with effect from April 6, 2023.
The seasoned attorney and legal instructor on September 15, 2022, replaced Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts who is now stationed in St. Lucia.
Following the news of his resignation, theories abounded about the reason for his departure. However, at the conclusion of Friday’s hearing at the High Court, Justice Floyd addressed the court regarding his departure.
“Some of you may be aware, based on information that has been released, that I will not be remaining in my position of sitting in this chair and that’s true. I’m very sad to confirm that,” he stated.
Justice Floyd added, “…speculation is an unnecessary thing. The reason that I’m stepping down is for medical reasons. I am required to undertake some medical treatment off island that’s going to be rather protracted and won’t be resolved or finalized in the short term. So that’s the reason, no other reason at all.”
He said given the kind reception he and his wife have received since they arrived in Dominica, he is “disappointed and saddened,” to depart the island.
“We feel very comfortable here,” he told the court. “I enjoy working here immensely. There are many good lawyers here that appeared before me.”
While he admitted that his stint has not been without its challenges, he noted that significant improvement has been made in the administration of justice.
“I welcomed the challenge because with the greatest of respect, and not trying to blow my own horn, I think we’ve made some progress and I think the state of the criminal High Court is good and matters are moving in the right direction as they are being heard and I’m happy to say that,” the Judge stated.
He continued, “it is not an ideal situation as yet but I am very, very pleased with the work that has been done and I thank everyone who has assisted in that regard including, State and defense counsels, court staff, police, security, the Social Inquiry Report officers, and all of the stakeholders in the criminal justice system, who have stepped up and stepped forward… I appreciate that and I thank you for that because the results are there.”
He expressed optimism that the new term ahead after his departure will be fruitful based on the work which was started.
“I have every confidence that everyone will continue to take up the challenge and move the matters forward, as expeditiously as possible for the good of the community, for all the stakeholders, accused persons, for victims of crime, witnesses, all of that, and the community at large.”
In concluding his address to the court, Justice Floyd averred, at the end of his treatment should all go as planned, “I would like nothing more than to return and come back and take up this position in one form or another. But we’ll have to see how that turns out. “
The Canadian-born jurist previously adjudicated matters in the British Virgin Islands prior to being transferred to Dominica.
Justice Floyd, who is said to have Caribbean roots, oversaw the development of Antigua’s first dedicated Criminal Court while serving there in the Criminal Division.
He was educated at the University of Ottawa, York University, and attended Harvard University in the United States. He has been active in his local communities, having served on the Board of Directors for Hospice in both Canada and Antigua; as a board member for addictions and community mental health organizations; and as a long-time member of the Ontario Soccer Association.
Justice Floyd previously worked as Crown Counsel in Canada, a prosecutor in Australia, and taught at Queen’s University Law School in Canada. In 2016, he was recognized as an International Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, DC.
Dominica is probably the most corrupted country in the Caribbean and for an honest foreign professional to survive he has to put on his see no evil hear no evil mask or simply resign and leave island, most choose to leave. Dominicans have Stockholm syndrome where they are actual sympathetic to their abusers and feel accomplished as their abusers gets richer and richer.
He just couldn’t take it. And he’s not a “Tommy Talker.” They tried to make him sing but he refused.
The realities of life; no one knows what the next moment will bring for us.
I hope this has nothing to do with the Justice expressing his shock at the primitive nature of Dominica policing and judicial system? I hope it was not the result of a government complain or you expressing your honest opinion on the state of Dominica! Or maybe the bad state of the filthy, dirty broken down fowls-cage that Dominica calls a Court and Registry offices.
Thank you for your brief, honest, innovative and insighful service. We wish you God’s grace and a speedy recovery. Do not forget Dominica, we need you and those like you here!
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/resident-judge-encourages-police-investigators-to-revise-method-of-investigation-in-sexual-offenses/
Go get some sleep, False Be Told.