“The Prime Minister’s decision to refer, or not refer, allegations to the President—who in turn is constitutionally charged with appointing a tribunal to formally investigate such allegations—is itself an intrusion into judicial independence and the usual separation of powers. “To then have a Court review the Prime Minister’s exercise of …
Read More »Daly Bread: Giving us a 4 for an A; more trouble in the Judiciary
In parts of the Caribbean, including here in Trinidad and Tobago, fooling someone is referred to as “giving a six for a nine.” Last week, a High Court Judge was arrested and charged with—as it is popularly known—driving under the influence. After his court appearance, it was reported that the …
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 »A turbulent fortnight: The unswearing of Le Hunte, Law Association gag and Mrs Broadbridge murder
Even as we were crossing Eastern Parkway opposite the Brooklyn Museum there was a brief warning. None of us making our way to Brooklyn Panorama last week Saturday into the grounds of the museum took the warning entirely seriously; but we should have. Two hours later, when we were drenched …
Read More »Dear Editor: Law Association out of line to scold members on response to Anand’s arrest
“The Law Association’s current attempt to stifle legitimate dialogue about matters of public interest—like excessive detentions and the abuse of police powers—is also an affront to the independence of the bar and the rule of law.” The following Letter to the Editor on the LATT’s response to statements by practising …
Read More »Daly Bread: Baigan soufflé and judicial macafouchette; a Mayaro postscript and JLSC jab
Reaction to last week’s Mayaro resumed column was as I expected. Readers welcomed and want more of “feel good” topics that bring some relief from the anxiety afflicting all but the one percent and the mindless fete people. This column is a postscript, but I must acknowledge reality first. People …
Read More »Chief Justice Archie should stand firm; Fixin T&T alleges that Law Association is political tool
“The actions of the [Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago] are serving to further undermine confidence in the very institution it claims to be seeking to protect. Any success realised will set a bad and extremely dangerous precedent.” Fixin’ T&T slams the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) for its …
Read More »Law Association defends Justice Seepersad against political bias allegations, scolds media
“We urge the Registry to take steps to ensure that any such suspected attempts at forum shopping are immediately brought to the attention of the judiciary so that remedial action can be taken. “We ask the print media to be mindful that blindly repeating what is being peddled on social …
Read More »DALY BREAD: Exercising power without legitimacy; why Chief Justice must say “goodbye” not “sorry”
On Thursday last, by a vote of nearly 2 to 1 in the case of each resolution, the members of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, (LATT) the governing body for lawyers, declared their loss of confidence in the Chief Justice. By a similar margin, it dealt with the …
Read More »Not in high esteem: Daly on faltering public trust in legal practitioners
High esteem does not come easily in or towards our country these days. Public trust is at an all time low, not surprisingly so because of decades of poor governance and the intersection of politics and corrupt business. Some commentators were dismissive of the idea that last Monday’s no confidence …
Read More »Dissident LATT attorney: I trust Sturge’s political acumen AND support Armour
Attorney Jonathan Bhagan, one of 30 signatories on a no confidence motion against Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) president Reginald Armour SC and vice-president Gerry Brooks, confirmed today that he was not misled into signing the controversial requisition by UNC Senator Wayne Sturge. “Mr Sturge did not attempt …
Read More »Motion quashed: Anand absent, Sturge and Ramdeen capitulate in Law meeting
Former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan was a no-show while UNC Senators Wayne Sturge and Gerald Ramdeen refused to defend their own requisition, as a no confidence motion in Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) president Reginald Armour SC and vice-president Gerry Brooks came to a crushing defeat at a special …
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