HYLTON

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Solicitor General Michael Hylton, Q.C., has withdrawn his name from the list of candidates who are being proposed as the next Chief Justice of Jamaica.

The Gleaner understands that on Tuesday, Mr. Hylton sent a letter to the Prime Minister indicating that he was no longer interested in the post.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister had sent a letter to the Leader of the Opposition, proposing Mr. Hylton as the Government's choice as Chief Justice.

Wolfe retiring

Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, who was appointed on July 26, 1996, is retiring on June 18, the day before his 70th birthday, and the Government has to find his successor before then.

Mr. Hylton and Court of Appeal Judge Seymour Panton were the two candidates most highly tipped for the post.

Mr. Hylton was not available for comment yesterday on the reasons he has withdrawn his name.

Justice Paul Harrison, president of the Court of Appeal, will be 70 on July 7, and the Government will also have to name his successor soon.

The consensus in legal circles, and in the judiciary, is that since Mr. Hylton has withdrawn, the post should be given to Justice Panton, who is highly competent and vastly experienced in the judiciary.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com