Govt appoints Ministerial Advisors for judicial sector

In light of heavy criticism of his performance, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams will now have a slew of legal experts at hand.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who disclosed at this week’s post- Cabinet press briefing that Cabinet on Tuesday “approved the establishment of a Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister”.

Harmon disclosed on Wednesday that the functions of the Council would include: providing legal analysis and advice on the development of the local justice sector, Government’s legislative agenda and litigation matters; providing input into legal policy design and engaging stakeholders with interest in the justice sector where appropriate.

The Minister of State further revealed that the members of the Council of Legal Advisors are former Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Judge, Justice Duke Pollard; former High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson; former Appeal Court Judge, Justice Claudette Singh; Professor Harold Lutchman; and Professor Harold James.

He went on to say that the Council would be assisted in the execution of its mandate by support staff from the Legal Affairs Ministry.

Even as Government appoints this Council of Legal Advisors to strengthen the judicial sector, there continues to be tension between the Judiciary and the Executive over the resent outburst by AG Williams before a High Court judge.

Justice Franklin Holder had formally complained to the Chancellor of the Judiciary that he abruptly walked out of the courtroom on March 23, 2017 as a result of statements made by the Attorney General.

He quoted the AG as saying, “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that… The last Magistrate who (told me what to do) was later found dead.”

The High Court Judge said in his complaint that he felt disrespected by the Attorney General’s behaviour and called for an apology in open court.

However, Williams is holding out that he is not to be blamed for causing the High Court Judge to walk out of the courtroom. He also insisted that his comment was not a threat even though the defence lawyer at the time, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall described it as one.

Moments after being sworn in as acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, had stated that she was reviewing the issue and would issue a statement afterwards. More than a month later, there is yet to be a pronouncement on the matter by the Judiciary.

On the other hand, President David Granger expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved, noting that he had asked Williams to formally give a detailed explanation of what transpired.

Minister Harmon on Thursday confirmed that the Attorney General has since submitted his explanation to the President.

“I know for a fact that the Attorney General has written his Excellency,” Minister Harmon stated, adding that the Head of State would act as necessary after reviewing the statement.