Tributes continue to pour in for the late former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice (retired) Cecil Kennard, whose service to the legal profession spanned over five decades. He passed away over the weekend, at the age of 86, after a brief period of illness. In a statement, the Judiciary described Justice Kennard as an outstanding jurist whose commitment to upholding the rule of law was unquestionable.
Justice (Retired) Cecil Kennard
According to the Judiciary, Justice Kennard was passionate about the law, particularly criminal law, and has left a rich legacy of decisions that have enriched the jurisprudence of Guyana and the Caribbean.
The former Chancellor, who was the recipient of two national awards, namely, the Order of Roraima (OR), and the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) 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.
His long and illustrious career saw him holding positions as Crown Counsel in the Chambers of the Attorney General and Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Magistrate, Legal Advisor to the Guyana Police Force, Puisne Judge, Justice of Appeal, Chief Justice, and Chancellor. Prior to his judicial career, he served with distinction as a prosecutor in Antigua and Barbuda.
On his retirement from the Judiciary, Justice Kennard served as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and was consulted by governmental agencies. While performing functions in these posts, he brought to bear the same zeal and dedication as he did on the bench, the Judiciary noted.
The statement from the Judiciary said that Justice Kennard had a warm and affable personality and was always approachable. “He conducted himself with decorum and integrity,” the missive added. Outside of the Judiciary, he was a sports enthusiast. He had a passion for cricket and horse racing. He was the honorary President of his family-owned Kennard Memorial Turf Club located at Bush Lot, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). 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.
Furthermore, the Judiciary noted that the retired Judge was a “true son of the soil” who served with pride, humility, and distinction.
“We have lost a great jurist and his passing has left a void in the legal profession,” the Judiciary said while expressing sincerest condolences to Justice Kennard’s wife, son, other family members, relatives, and friends.
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 were 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.
Tributes for Justice Kennard have also been made by President Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and the Bar Association of Guyana among others.
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 timeframe 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. (G1)
