President Justice Elliot Mottley, who has held the highest post on the country's highest resident court for six years has very suddenly announced he is retiring.

The 71 year old Barbadian has been on the court for 11 years - and as the president, the sudden announcement of his departure came as a shock to those legal practitioners we spoke with.

A government release thanks Justice Mottley for his valuable services to Belize and wishes him a happy retirement. And while it is well to see his retirement in the natural course, legal observers we spoke to suggest that it may well not be a happy departure, as Mottley's tenure was recently the subject of much debate. Previously he had unlimited tenure, allowing him to serve until his death; government changed that and reduced it to a one year contract with a view to regularizing the term at the end of the year.

Some observers suggest that the change in tenure arrangements and the public flap over it may have encouraged his departure.

While there's no information from the judge himself to suggest either way, the coincidence can't be easily ignored. And, similarly, the coincidence of the fact that Belize is looking for a new Chief Justice, and must now simultaneously search for a new President of the Court Of Appeal is also significant.

Additionally, another Appeal Court judge is under attack as today Amandala reports that chartered Accountant Cedric Flowers has written to the governor General about Justice Dennis Morrisson. His letter to the governor general saying, quote, "I implore you to take the steps as provided for in the Belize constitution to deal with this matter." Those steps could involve activating the Belize Advisory council to investigate the question of removal.