Captain Javonson Willock has filed an application calling for the recusal of Justice Rene Williams, the Presiding High Court Judge, in his case against the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).
Willock states that bias, unfair treatment, and undue pressure have compromised the fairness of future proceedings before the Learned Judge. Willock claims that during one of the hearings, the judge said, “ _I am not going to be easy on you because you are representing yourself…So be warned… I am not going to be easy on you._ ” Willock contends that this statement is dangerous and that the trial before the said judge in this matter will be unsafe.
Willock further claims that the judge has been unduly pressuring him to retain a Lawyer, disregarding his right to represent himself and without considering his financial means. Willock also highlighted instances where the ABDF has failed to comply with court orders and the rules governing civil matters, but the judge imposed no sanctions against them. However, he claimed that the only mistake he made during the entire proceedings was filing an application to cross-examine the ABDF witnesses a few days late. For this breach, he was fined $750 by the Judge.
Willock says that the combination of the Judge’s remarks, pressure to seek legal counsel, and partiality towards the ABDF jeopardizes the fairness of the trial scheduled for October 8, 2025. Willock emphasized that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. He contends that a judge’s impartiality is central to public trust in the courts, and that even the appearance of bias risks undermining confidence in the judicial process.
