Ramsay back as Grand Court Judge

(CMR) His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper, OBE is pleased to announce the appointment of Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale as a Judge of the Grand Court. 

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission (the “JLSC”) recently carried out an open recruitment process advertising the post both locally and overseas. Following a short-listing process, an interview panel interviewed five persons for this post ultimately recommending Justice Ramsay-Hale as the successful candidate. His Excellency subsequently accepted the recommendation.

“Justice Ramsay-Hale’s skills and experiences, as well as her commitment and passion to the legal and judicial services will serve to continue to enhance our judiciary” His Excellency said. “I look forward to formally welcoming her back home in the New Year” he continued.

Chief Justice Smellie concurred with His Excellency’s sentiments and added “Justice Ramsay-Hale’s wide breadth of knowledge in the criminal, civil, and commercial courts will be well utilised in her new role.”

Justice Ramsay-Hale will be appointed as a Judge of the Grand Court effective 13 January 2020.

Justice Ramsay-Hale has served as Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands since July 2014.

In addition to her duties as Chief Justice, she is the sole Presiding Judge in the civil and commercial divisions of the Turks and Caicos Court though she also presides in the criminal and matrimonial/family divisions.

Prior this appointment, Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale served as a Puisne Judge in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 2011-2014. Her prior judicial experience includes sitting in the Cayman Islands as Chief Magistrate for three years and a Magistrate for ten years. In addition, she sat in Jamaica as a Resident Magistrate and a Family Court Judge, both for two years. Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale served ad hoc as a Judge in the Cayman Islands in 2006 and was appointed to the Cayman Islands Panel of Acting Grand Court Judges in 2013.

Prior to beginning her judicial career, Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale worked at the private Bar before being appointed Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica in 1994. She is a Certified Mediator and was called to the Bar in 1991.