“His landmark judgements will guide future lawyers” – AG

…as Supreme Court pays tribute to late Justice Prem Persaud

In a tribute to the late Justice (retired) Prem Persaud, who passed away on November 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Judicature of Guyana held a Special Full Court Sitting to reflect on live and work of the stalwart.
The sitting saw the participation of legal fraternities including the Guyana Bar Association and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, among others.
Many used the event to reflect on the success of Justice Persaud and shared personal experiences. One such person being the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who in an emotional state expressed gratitude to the late Justice for putting service above self.
According to Nandlall, the late Justice’s was a trail blazer, whose landmark judgements will continue guide lawyers and judges alike for many years to come.
“The legal profession in Guyana and the Caribbean lost a fine jurist. No doubt he made a lasting contribution to the legal profession, to public life and the country and its people. Guyana is poor by his demise, for he has made an outstanding contribution to international life from his appointment as a member of the order of service and awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour,” Nandlall said.

Further, Chief Justice Roxane George shared several stories about her encounters with the late Justice Persaud, whom she explained played a major role in shaping her success in the legal fraternity.
On this point, she expressed that the late Justice is a legal tower who made everlasting strides along the physical and legal landscape of Guyana, and the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana would cherish and honour his work in all future endeavours.
“As a prosecutor it was privileged to appear before Justice Persaud not long after I became working at the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1990. He was always a helpful Judge, understanding that as young council we need guidance and he was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise”.
“He believed in simplicity and clarity of language and therefore exemplified have become the newer thinking as it regards communicating legal issues,” the Chief Justice said.

Born in the village of Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara, Justice Prem Persaud was a British trained lawyer who assumed the Bench as a Magistrate of British Guiana in the early sixties and served in that capacity until he was elevated to the High Court as a Puisne Judge on or about 1986.
He was possibly the longest serving Magistrate in the entire Commonwealth. After serving as a High Court Judge for several years, Justice Persaud was appointed a Justice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Guyana. As a Justice of Appeal, he delivered several landmark judgments in various areas of the law.
Persaud also served as Chief Justice for a short period.
Upon his retirement, Justice Persaud held several crucial posts, including being the longest serving Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission for several years, Chairman of the Trade Union Recognition Board for many years, and head of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited.
Justice Persaud was the father of Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, brother of Vidyanand Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, and the uncle of Prabha and Vidushi Persaud, both Attorneys-at-Law.
No doubt Justice Persaud’s life was a long fulfilling one, dedicated to public service and in service to the people of Guyana spanning over six decades.
Despite the high offices held, Justice Persaud remained grounded, humble and affable. (G1)