George Noel Brown

Background

Brown, George Noel was born on June 13, 1942 in Gales Point Village, Belize. Son of Noel Todd and Elma Priscilla (O'Brien) Brown.

Education

Certified in public administration, Carlton U., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 1970; Bachelor of Laws with 2d class honors, U. West Indies, Barbados, 1976; certified in legal education, Norman Manley Law School, Kingston, Jamaica, 1978; certified in legislation drafting, Commonwealth Law School, Nairobi, Kenya, 1979.

Career

Brown served the judiciary for more than four decades, rising up through the ranks. He began as a lay magistrate, and after qualifying as a crown counsel joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He later became the Solicitor General of Belize.

He served as acting Chief Justice in 1985–1986, and was named Chief Justice in 1991.

His tenure was marked by conflict with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over the issue of capital punishment. Of the twenty death sentences he handed down in his latter years, the Privy Council granted a stay of execution in all cases which were appealed.

An article in a London newspaper poked fun at Brown"s style of setting up loudspeakers in the courtroom and delivering "fire and brimstone" judgments which he claimed were divinely inspired. The article was banned from republication in Belize.

Towards the end of his tenure as CJ, his health also began to deteriorate, and he suffered from epileptic seizures.

He submitted his resignation in November 1997. In early 1998, he was succeeded by George Singh. After his retirement, he worked privately as a consultant with the law firm of Lionel Welch, and also served as an acting Justice of the Supreme Court from 7 April 1999 alongside Wilfred Elrington.

Achievements

• George Noel Brown has been listed as a noteworthy Belize chief justice by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Manager, coach primary and secondary school soccer teams, Belize City, since 1986, 1st division soccer club, Belmopan, 1981-1984. Secretary, chairman Belize Harbour Regatta Committee, Belize City, 1958-1985. Member Belize Bar Association (secretary 1979-1981).

Interests

• Avocations: competitive yachting, soccer, drama, cricket.

Connections

Married Eleanor Marie Williams, June 5, 1962 (divorced May 1972). Children: Georgia Yvette Marie, Aubrey Noel David, Marsha Elizabeth, Roxanne Patricia. Married Magdalene Elizabeth Bucknor, August 24, 1974.

Father:

Noel Todd Brown

Mother:

Elma Priscilla (O'Brien) Brown

Spouse:

Magdalene Elizabeth Bucknor

Spouse:

Eleanor Marie Williams

child:

Aubrey Noel David Brown

child:

Marsha Elizabeth Brown

child:

Georgia Yvette Marie Brown

child:

Roxanne Patricia Brown