Retirement and study claims three court staff

(CNS): The local courts have lost three key members of staff recently with the retirement of two long serving Court Marshalls and the departure of one of the judicial services court reporters. Lambert Dilbert the Chief Marshall served for 15 years and Eric Greenidge for six, though both men had already served the criminal justice system prior to becoming marshalls for several years in other capacities. Kerri Francella, has left Cayman to study in her native Canada after being here for seven years.

At a gathering to say goodbye to the three public servants the Chief justice said the courts will miss them all. “Warmest congratulations on jobs well done, and, in the case of Mr. Dilbert and Mr. Greenidge, on your hard-earned retirements,” Anthony Smellie told them.
Speaking about Francella, the top judge noted the importance of the court reporters job.

“Like the other members of the Court Reporting team, she is a true professional and very accomplished at what she does,” the Chief Justice said.  “Real time court reporting is a very demanding job and a skill that takes many years of honing to acquire.”
Prior to her post as the courts, Francella served as a Hansard Officer at the Legislative Assembly for about two years.

Meanwhile, Dilbert (known as Wellington) who retired after fifteen years at the court served for ten years as a prison officer at HMP Northward before becoming a Marshall.

“It was a mark of the trust and respect that Wellington has earned that he was appointed Chief Marshall three years ago, despite other candidates vying for that position,” the Chief Justice said.  “He appreciates the important duties that the Marshalls have in assisting with the orderly and efficient administration of the courts and took his responsibilities very seriously.”

Dilbert said that he has had no regrets and before coming to Cayman Dilbert worked as an artist, producing sculptures. “I did that for twelve years before coming here, so the art field holds some possibilities for me,” he said. The proud author of a collection of some 70 poems, he hopes to continue his hobby of writing poetry.

Greenidge, (who was unable to make the farewell gathering ) retired from service as a Court Marshall after six years but came to the Courts from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, where he rose to the position of Inspector in a career that began in the 1970s. He joined the Courts in 2003 following his retirement from the RCIPS, where he was, the Chief Justice said, “a stalwart member” of the police cricket team.

At the Courts, his performance was equally impressive.  “During his years at the Courts, Mr. Greenidge also earned the trust and respect of all of us, judges and court staff alike,” the Chief Justice said.  “The dignified way in which he carries himself and the disciplined and courteous manner in which he goes about his duties can serve as a good example to all who follow him in the position as Marshall. We thank him for his more than 40 years’ service to the people of these islands,” he added.