Justice Cecil Kennard dies at age 86

…contributions to Guyana nothing short of extraordinary – President Ali

…distinguished jurist who delivered justice with the dignity – Bar Association

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, CCH, died on Saturday morning at age 86.

Guyana Times understands that he was hospitalised several weeks ago but subsequently returned home. However, on Wednesday his condition began to worsen.
Consequently, Justice Kennard died just before 02:00h on Saturday at his home in Georgetown.
Since then, tributes have been pouring in throughout Saturday over the demise of the judicial stalwart who has over 50 years of public service in Guyana, having held several positions in the legal fraternity including senior State Counsel in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Court of Appeal Justice, Chief Justice, Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

Extraordinary
In a statement, President Dr Irfaan Ali said he was saddened to learn of the passing of former Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
“Justice Kennard’s contribution to Guyana is nothing short of extraordinary. His relentless and unwavering work in the Judiciary and on improving the governance of our country has created a better Guyana for all of us. As we say farewell to the great Guyanese soul, let us recommit in his honour to do our very best to further the development of Guyana,” the Guyanese leader stated.
President Ali also extended condolences to the family and friends of Justice Kennard.
Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana also expressed its deep regret at the death of the former Chancellor.
“The passing of such an exemplary son of the soil also creates a void in the sporting fraternity in Guyana, more specifically the horse racing and cricket administrations. He presided over the Judiciary at a time when Guyana experienced major constitutional reforms and the respect and independence of the Judiciary was restored,” it outlined in a statement.
The Guyana Government also thanked Justice Kennard’s family for sharing the distinguished husband, father and friend with Guyana.
Additionally, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also said in a post on his Facebook page, “It is with much sadness that I learned of the passing of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, who died at his home this morning. I wish to express condolences to his relatives, friends, and those whose lives he made an impact on during his years as a member of the legal fraternity and as an avid supporter of horseracing”.
Joining in extending condolences to this family, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, reflected on the multi-decade illustrious career of Justice Kennard and his achievements during that time.
During his stellar career, the AG recalled that Justice Kennard would have prosecuted some of the most high-profile cases both in Guyana and Antigua, some of which have been recorded as landmark judgements.
Nandlall noted that criminal law was his forte and that he was always willing to offer advice and guidance to young lawyers. The AG added Justice Kennard’s hunger to render public service was another of his many phenomenal characteristics.
“Only a few weeks again he and I spoke about his interest to serve in a particular legal office. He certainly has left his indelible print on the fabric of Guyana’s and indeed, the Caribbean’s criminal jurisprudence… Justice Kennard’s contributions to Guyana and in particular, Guyanese jurisprudence, are indeed formidable. The legal profession has certainly lost an outstanding stalwart and jurist,” AG Nandlall said.

Distinguished legal career
Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Guyana also mourned the loss of Justice Kennard, noting that the sun has set on the distinguished legal career of a worthy son of Guyana’s soil.
“A distinguished jurist who delivered justice with the dignity befitting the revered Honourable which accompanies the word, Justice. His tall stature could be seen as an indicator that he would have made colossal strides through the course of his practice at the Bar and later service at the Bench, culminating in the attainment of the highest judicial office in Guyana, that of Chancellor.”
The Bar Association further recalled in its statement that Justice Kennard continued serving the country even after his retirement from the Bench, including the Bar. It went onto reflect on one of his most recent addresses on the occasion of a Full Court sitting to pay tribute to another distinguished jurist during which former Chancellor Kennard reminded that central to any system of democratic governance is the doctrine of separation of powers.
For the administration of justice in Guyana, the Association said Justice Kennard was a champion of the doctrine of separation of powers, particularly in the face of executive excess, speaking out against violation without fear or favour.
The former Chancellor, who is a recipient of the Order of Roraima (OR), studied Law in the United Kingdom’s prestigious Lincoln’s Inn. He returned to Guyana in 1962 to open a private practice in Berbice, from where he hailed. In 1965 he was appointed State Counsel (prosecutor) in the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, before being elevated to senior State Counsel in 1968. He also served as the Guyana Police Force’s legal advisor.
Kennard served in the Court of Appeal before becoming Chief Justice, serving from 1995 to 1996. He then served as Chancellor of the Judiciary from 1996 to 2002, when he left the Judiciary to take up his position at the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) where he served until 2017.

Horse racing
Outside of the legal fraternity, Justice Kennard was also an avid horse racing fan and was the honorary President of his family-owned Kennard Memorial Turf Club located at Bush Lot. He was most famous in the sporting fraternity for hosting his annual Boxing Day horse racing meet, Emancipation Day Horse racing meet and Independence Day meet which were held every year at the club until the pandemic put a halt on the proceedings.

Forced to retire
After devoting over 50 years of his life to serving Guyana, Justice Kennard was in 2017 forced to retire from his post as PCA Chairman by the then President David Granger.
In an interview with this media house at the time, Justice Kennard had expressed his disappointment with the manner in which he was forced out of office.
It was reported that Granger, who was in his early 70s at the time, had dismissed the former PCA Chairman due to his old age. It was reported that Granger, who was in his early 70s at the time, had dismissed the former PCA Chairman due to his old age. However, Granger then went on to appoint 84-year-old Retired judge James Patterson as chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.
Kennard who was disheartened with the manner in which the APNU/AFC Government was coercing him to retire from his post as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) had told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview he was initially only given practically 36 hours’ notice via a letter sent to his office while he was on vacation to step down from his position.
In the interview in January 2017, Justice Kennard had said he was “shocked and upset” upon receiving that information as he had no prior indication that his service was going to be brought to an end. He also contended that the time frame in which the APNU/AFC Government gave him to retire was unfair, especially for a senior officer of his capacity.
“To give me 36 hours to vacate is very shocking and even the two months extension is not fair to me because the annual report will take a lot of time to prepare… I am very disturbed and upset that having served this country for 50 years to be given such a short notice,” he had emphasised. (G8)