At the centre, President of the Common Court of Justice Sigmar Carmelia with Judge Isabelle Severeijns immediately on his right and Judge Jacqueline Broek and Judge Guido Konings on his left during the installation session held on at the Courthouse last Friday.
PHILIPSBURG--Three newly appointed judges said they are ready to bring their professional experience, openness and commitment to justice to the judiciary of St. Maarten. Judges Isabelle Severeijns, Guido Konings and Jacqueline Broek were formally installed at the Courthouse on Friday, September 11, marking the beginning of their new appointments in the Dutch Caribbean. The three judges bring different legal backgrounds and areas of expertise, ranging from criminal, family and children's law to insolvency and administrative law.
Their installation was attended by members of the legal community, family and friends, as well as government and parliamentary representatives, including Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Acting Governor Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake and Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg. Also in attendance was Island Governor of Saba Levenstone, Deputy Rep. of the Netherlands Boomsma, Member of the Board of Directors of the Joint Court of Justice Holiday, Acting Attorney General Mrs. Ridderbeks and Dean of the Bar Association of St. Maarten Mrs. Bary.
The ceremony followed an earlier opportunity for the judges to speak about their backgrounds, their first impressions of St. Maarten and what they hope to contribute to the local justice system.
Severeijns has been a judge since 1998, following six years of specialised judicial training after completing law school. Throughout her career, she has worked primarily in family and criminal law and most recently served as a judge at the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court of Appeal. She said she has always enjoyed the profession, particularly the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of society and human behaviour through the cases brought before the court. “You really get a very good view on what's happening in society and what is behind all the doors,” Severeijns said.
