Govt submitted deficient feasibility study – CLE President

Local law school

While President David Granger on Friday impressed on the Council of Legal Education (CLE) the need for a local law school, Council President Reginald Armour has noted that Guyana’s feasibility study is deficient, and more work has to be done.
On the sidelines of the ceremonial opening of the CLE meeting at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, Armour was asked for an update on the feasibility study the Guyana Government did into a local law school.
The report and business plan were submitted weeks ago by Guyana’s Government. Armour explained that a subcommittee looked at the report. However, he revealed that the study does not sufficiently address concerns regarding quality assurance and the curriculum.
“A subcommittee has looked at that feasibility study. We’ve met with the

Government of Guyana feasibility study committee. We did that (earlier) this week. We’ve expressed certain concerns we have, to do with the fact that the feasibility study does not sufficiently address quality assurance, curriculum and the proposal of a school at the moment is not compliant with our treaty,” Armour said.
“And we’ve asked the Government of Guyana to do some work and come back to us. They’ve agreed to that. I’ll be discussing that with Council this morning and out of that decision from Council, I expect the most that will happen is that we’ll fix a timetable to continue discussions with the Government of Guyana.”
Armour assured that territories in the Caribbean region are not necessarily barred from establishing their own law schools. But he noted that it’s another matter when the Council has to give its approval.
“There’s nothing to exclude any country from having a law school. If they then come to the Council of legal education and say would you approve our law school, we then have to do a number of quality assurances and curriculum monitoring tests to ensure it reaches the standard that we adhere to. (But) all possibilities exist and that’s what we’re discussing this morning.”

Improved legal education
President Granger who gave the feature address at the ceremony, meanwhile noted the crucial role of the Council of Legal Education. But he reminded the attendees of the need to improve access to legal education throughout the region, including Guyana.
“The Council’s contribution to the Caribbean jurisprudence is undisputable. The Council, however, should seek new ways of improving access top and delivery of affordable education, to all corners of the Caribbean.”
“There’s much work to do for the Council to improve access. These measures

should include, if necessary, embracing new technologies which support their objectives. It should also ensure that non-discriminatory admissions to the regional law schools are (pursued),” President Granger said.
The Hugh Wooding Law School takes in 25 Guyanese law students each year. Granger made it clear to the Council that Guyana’s demand for lawyers cannot be satisfied with the quota in place.
During his address, Granger noted the importance of improving overall access to legal service. According to the President, legal aid programmes will be rolled out in previously underserved areas.
“Legal Aid services need to become regionalised. The support for the criminal justice programme will soon facilitate the provision of Legal Aid services to many of our hinterland communities. Access to the courts is being enhanced with new magisterial districts and specialised courts.”
“Two new magisterial districts; the Upper Demerara Magisterial District Court and the Rupununi Magisterial District Court were commissioned over the past year. The establishment of these district courts reduces the need for residents to travel out of their home regions to access legal services,” the President outlined.
It was only a few days ago, ahead of Guyana’s hosting of the three-day meeting of the CLE, that Williams had given all assurances that the path was cleared for the establishment of a local law school in Guyana.