Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles took the oath of office yesterday as Barbados’ newest High Court judge.
Family and friends witnessed the brief ceremony at Government House at which Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave presided.
![Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave (left) shaking the hand of newly appointed Justice Pamela Beckles (right) as her family members (from left) Beverly Beckles; sister, Anderson Sandiford; cousin, and family friend Astor B Watts look on.]()
Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave (left) shaking the hand of newly appointed Justice Pamela Beckles (right) as her family members (from left) Beverly Beckles; sister, Anderson Sandiford; cousin, and family friend Astor B Watts look on.
Afterwards, Beckles, who served as a magistrate for 14 years and Chief Magistrate for four, said she was honoured by her elevation.
“I intend to continue in the same vein that I have been in the Magistrates’ Court – firm, fair but treat everybody equally,” she said.
In her career, Judge Beckles was also Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court and acted as Registrar on several occasions. She also acted as a high court judge on many occasions.
Family friend and Democratic Labour Party elder Astor B Watts, who was present for the occasion, noted that while the appointment was long in coming, Beckles should be congratulated for reaching a new level in her career.
“I pray God will continue to keep her, guide her and continue her good work to mentor to Barbadians and all those abroad,” Watts said.
