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Dear Editor, It is with deep concern that I draw public attention to a matter that strikes at the heart of justice, constitutional rights, and the rule of law in Guyana. A recent act of judicial overreach within the High Court has demonstrated a troubling departure from fairness and due process, undermining the rights of ordinary citizens who seek lawful redress through the courts. In July 2025, an applicant, with the assistance of her attorney and in consultation with the other lawful beneficiaries of an estate, filed a Fixed Date Application for a Letter of Administration (LOA) following the death of the appointed Executor. The application, properly filed and procedurally sound, was meant only to facilitate the equitable distribution of the estate’s assets. Yet, without any notice to the applicant or her counsel, the presiding judge issued a ruling on August 12 dismissing the application in its entirety. Repeated follow-ups at the Registry revealed that the matter had been dismissed without any stated reason or explanation Such conduct by the presiding authority amounts to a grave contravention of the principles of natural justice. The right to be heard before an adverse decision is rendered is among the most fundamental safeguards under any democratic judicial system. When a court acts unilaterally—without notice, hearing, or reasoning—it not only violates the litigant’s rights but also casts a shadow over the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system as a whole. This incident, if left unaddressed, sets a dangerous precedent for the administration of justice in Guyana. It signals a troubling normalization of procedural disregard, where judicial officers can dismiss legitimate applications without accountability or transparency. Ordinary citizens, already burdened by the complexity and cost of accessing the courts, now face the added threat of arbitrary judicial decisions that defy due process and erode public trust in the judiciary. The rule of law demands more. It demands transparency, fairness, and accountability from those entrusted with the solemn duty of delivering justice. This matter calls for urgent review and scrutiny from the higher judicial authorities, legal associations, and civil society at large. A subsequent formal complaint has been submitted with the Judicial Service Commission, but the applicant is not hopeful of a favourable response, which speaks to the wider issue of distrust in the system. Without judicial review and reform, incidents of this nature will only widen the gap between citizens and the justice system meant to protect them. The people of Guyana deserve a judiciary that serves the law—not one that acts above it. (Name and Address Withheld)
