“A Chief Justice… ‘with a pattern of breaking rules.’ Like a Rott on a roti, a lot of people, I expect, will jump on that phrase. Why? Well, about half will merely see another example of a successful black man being persecuted. Not all 50% but a substantial proportion of that …
Read More »Daly Bread: Sabbatical or tactical? A look at Archie’s controversial leave and section 137
In a column published on 17 December 2017, I foretold that there was a political sub-plot by means of which Chief Justice Archie would be given a soft landing in March 2018. At that time, I also referred to talk that the Chief Justice would be going on extended leave …
Read More »Daly: Archie’s secret Judge supporters should declare themselves in interest of fair appeal
“In the event of an appeal, I believe that it is incumbent on any member of the Court of Appeal who is assigned to the appeal to state, either in open Court or in Chambers in the presence of all counsel, that he or she is not one of those …
Read More »Daly: Justice must be open to scrutiny; Law Association should continue Archie probe
For many months, I have been commenting on the likely damage to the Judiciary first as a result of the fiasco of the appointment and purported resignation of Marcia Ayers-Caesar as a High Court Judge and, shortly after that, separate allegations about the conduct of the Chief Justice. Somewhat belatedly …
Read More »Daly Bread: Prayers, miracles and reality; and the President Weekes masterstroke
Almost halfway through its innings and after plenty leave-alone punctuated by some ‘vooping’, the current PNM Government, has finally played a ball with the middle of the bat. The nomination of Madam Justice Paula Mae Weekes to be President of the Republic is an elegant stroke. Happily, the Leader of …
Read More »Daly Bread: The mudda count phenomenon and our sliding standards of behaviour
Massive: that is the extent of the opportunity presented by “Massive” Gosine’s “Rowlee Mudda Count.” It is an opportunity to have a meaningful discussion about taste and standards in public and cultural life. It does not matter whose count is referenced. The central issue is whether the unrelenting references to …
Read More »Dear Editor: Archie’s issues go beyond possible photoshop; he should declare his innings
“Aside from wondering if he is pursuing legal action as the CJ or as Ivor Archie in a personal capacity, I wonder who will be footing the bill? “And I have to wonder if the CJ is really that obtuse? […] It is not simply the one issue of whether …
Read More »Fixin T&T: Show us the Balgobin report, let’s see what Justice Nelson’s made of
“Fixin’ T&T has taken note of reports that retired Justice Rolston Nelson may be the Dr Keith Rowley-led Government’s nominee to become the next president of our Republic. “Fixin’ T&T is deeply troubled by the apparent difficulty judges seem to have with being called upon to account for their actions.” …
Read More »Daly Bread: Beware the ides of March; what might lie in store for CJ Archie
Julius Caesar, the maximum leader of Roman times, was assassinated in the year 44 BC. The dates in the Roman calendar were denominated differently from the manner to which we are accustomed. The mid-point of every month was known as the ides. Caesar was assassinated on the ides of March, …
Read More »Daly Bread: Musicians on the Titanic; looking at Trinbagonian response to our crises
In 1912, the Titanic began its maiden voyage across the Atlantic from England to New York. The ship was thought to be unsinkable—as though God was not only a Trini but was also the Titanic’s owner. Four days into its voyage, the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank with loss …
Read More »Daly Bread: Understanding reputational damage; watering the brandy of the JLSC
Referring to the unattractive salary and conditions of service of judges at that time, then Chief Justice Sir Isaac Hyatali, in October, 1978 made his famous statement that “We were heading for a situation in which the brandy will have to be watered considerably to fill future vacancies on the …
Read More »Destroying the judicial guardrails; why we will all pay for Archie’s alleged HDC forage
It is not surprising that the issue of the allocation of public housing is front page news once again. What is astonishing is that it is allegations concerning the conduct of the Chief Justice that have put the issue back on the front page—but first, a little recap. In April 2016, …
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