Attorney at law Cabral Douglas, who has launched a US$3-million lawsuit against the government of Dominica over the Tommy Lee affair, has now followed up by retaining one of England’s top barristers Dr. Leslie Thomas QC to lead the litigation phase of the case due to commence in Trinidad at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
“I am pleased to announce that I have retained the services of Leslie Thomas QC LLB LLD. Dr. Thomas is one of the UK’s leading human rights
barristers, he brings a wealth of knowledge and courtroom experience in high profile cases to the table, and I am extremely fortunate to have him onboard to lead the litigation phase of this matter…”Douglas said in a statement.
Dr. Thomas QC who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Kingston University for his civil rights work among other prestigious awards for his
legal advocacy has been a member of Garden Court Chambers in London for most of his professional career spanning over a 25 year period at the
English bar.
Garden Court Chambers is one of the largest and most high-profile barristers’ chambers in the UK with over 180 barristers, including 20 QCs.
Dr. Thomas is among the sets 20 QC’s – he obtained his silk in 2014.
The set provides a wealth of expertise across criminal defence, civil liberties, inquest law, housing law, immigration, family law and public law.
Its passion for human rights and social justice has shaped the development of law in these areas, with many of its members acting in some of the most important, precedent-setting cases in the UK today.
“The thing that attracted me to Dr. Thomas QC is the fact that he had a successful career as a civil litigator going after big companies and
institutions but his passion is for representing individuals whose civil liberties/human rights have been violated which is what this case is really
about,” Douglas said.
Douglas added that his intention was always to appoint a barrister with a broad range of legal skills.
“This matter involves several overlapping areas of law including international law, contracts, civil litigation, negligence, human rights and civil liberties so I have been seeking to appoint someone who is a QC first of all, and secondly someone with a broad range of experience in the various
disciplines, then thirdly somebody with a track record of success, Dr. Thomas ticks all the boxes so his appointment was a no-brainer …”Douglas
concluded.
Court documents reveal that motions were filed at the CCJ on September 7, 2016 appointing Dr. Thomas QC, and declaring his intention to be heard on the Special Leave Application filed with the court by Douglas on August, 24, 2016.
The government of Jamaica which has intervened on behalf of Jamaican plaintiffs Leroy Russell (Tommy Lee), Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario
Wallace has not yet declared whether or not they intend to be joined as a party to the proceedings.
Although the Government of Dominica had formally indicated their desire to pursue an out of court settlement, a letter to Jamaican attorney Bert
Samuels on May 18, 2016 by the Chamber of the Attorney General has indicated that the Government of Dominica reversed their position by
stating “we do not accept responsibility or liability for any of the claims made therein”.
Court Documents indicate that the Government of Dominica filed a motion to be heard at the CCJ on September 16, 2016, and is being represented by
Attorney General Levi Peter. However, that motion has been challenged on the basis that the motion has been filed “out of time”.
The matter has to do with what Douglas said is the illegal arrest, dentention, and deportation of controversial Jamaican artiste, Tommy Lee Sparta, and his entourage in 2014.
Tommy Lee, whose real name is Leroy Russell, was to perform at a concert in February 2014 in Portsmouth, organized by Douglas, however, organizations, such as the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches denounced the artiste’s appearance saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence.
On his arrival in Dominica, Tommy Lee, 26, along with his three-member team, Tiasha Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario Christopher Wallace were denied entry, detained and deported the following day.
The government of Dominica said its action was based in the interest of public safety.
well. dominicans get ready to pay 3 million dollars of taxes for the jamaican artist who would have came at zero cost to the public for a couple days then “gwan bout his business” according to them jamaican. i am a christian, however i understand that d.a is a country where we all have to respect each others religious freedom. If you dont like that, this aint north korea, you’re free to leave.
In the end it are we, the poor citizens of Dominica, who will pick up the bill, including S.C.’s not inconsiderable fees.
This case is so simple. Tommy Lee knew he was not wanted in D/ca. Cabral and his brother knew it. Yet they and the organizers encouraged Tommy Lee to fly to D/ca.
Tommy Lee is a stubborn man. He willfully came and defied the Immigration Officers. He was told to return to the jet. Obstinate as he is, he refused to do so. This was when he was arrested.
Tommy Lee made up a story about his treatment when he was detained in D/ca. The man is bold. He tried to fight the D/can government as if he owns D/ca and everyone in it. This man is no good. This is why he was not wanted in D/ca to sing his scandalous songs.
Remember Tommy Lee’s letter to Dominicans as posted on DNO? Access it and read it.
Cabral, I know your family. However, I must state you and your brother and others who are in favor of this million dollars suit are traitors to D/ca.
If the J/can government agreed with those who opposed an artist’s visit consider what would happen if they were defiant.
The majority of D/cans did not want Tommy Lee to perform in D/ca. He is scandalous and so is his show. He is no good example especially to the youths.
I hope his pictures will be shown in Court, the ones where he performed in other countries as Jamaica.
Furthermore, Tommy Lee was arrested for murder. He was released. What happened to that case?
They planned with Tommy Lee and vice versa that they are looking for money. They want to be rich. I hope not!
The organizers spent money and so they want to re-coup it. You are not lovers of Dominica. You are traitors. Time will take care of all of you.
I also hope, you who want this case and are pushing it, will eventually have to pay Dominica $3M US. May God put a hand.
Those on the side of Dominica stand up and be counted. I hope this case will be thrown out of Court.
How can the chairman of CARICOM show up at the CCJ to argue that 4 CARICOM nationals cannot travel freely to Dominica where they were contracted to work without being arrested, jailed and deported?
Dr. Thomas did not buy his doctorate from some obscure university in India like Skerrit he was awarded it in recognition of his legal advocacy in the UK so let us not mix matters…
His ‘doctorate’ is as fake as Skerritts. It is an ‘honorary’ doctorate awarded by one of the UK’s youngest university, Kingston.
Only an idiot, or the most pompous of pompous, will use the title of ‘doctor’ against an honorary degree.
It is generally recommended by the institutions giving the award that such degrees be listed in one’s CV as an award, and not in the education section. With regard to the use of this honorific, the policies of institutions of higher education generally[citation needed] ask that recipients “refrain from adopting the misleading title” and that a recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the title “Dr” before their name to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not within the broader community.
Leslie will fail against Skerritt.
…” … that such degrees be listed in one’s CV as an award, and not in the education section.[4] With regard to the use of this honorific, the policies of institutions of higher education generally ask that recipients “refrain from adopting the misleading title” and that a recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the title “Dr” before their name to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not within the broader community…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_degree
Thomas
You are right his doctorate is an award, awarded to him in recognition of his track record of human rights advocacy as a Queens Counsel in England.
The question is what was Skerrit’s doctorate awarded to him in recognition of?
Why did he have to go all the way to India a country where he has no track-record for it?
Why did he need to pay for it?
Why hasn’t he been recognized by an local or regional institution or even his almer mater?
So let’s us not mix matters!!!
Kingston university was founded in 1899 that makes the institution 217 years old, hardly the youngest University in the UK!!!
DOUGLAS, what ever goals you are after make sure you advise Mr. Tommy Lee sparta, to have enough money in his back pockets and so do you Douglas, because my Government and lawyers from Tony Astaphan, to the very best of London lawyers, bring it on my man i will be in the Red corner waiting, and no shadow boxing.
El Dog, you are so stupid, and out of touch you do not even know your government led by that Mountain Chicken Carpaud (crapo) Mentality Sly Eye Sir Knight Indian doctor of nothing, half baldhead incompetent dunce Roosevelt Skerrit has already paid Tommy culprit.
As Skerrit how many millions of dollars he gave to the culprit who came to our country, and violated our immigration laws, and when he was deported Skerrit decided to pay him money even without a court trial, stating he has no alternative than to pay the criminal because of some stupid CARICOM agreement.
Ask that corrupted Skerrit if he read the agreement before he signed it selling out the rights, of our people and country. You are idiot El Dog!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
You can neither read write or spell, no wonder Skerrit must have been your teacher, that is why you did not finish kindergarten class!
I’m not a fan of Tommy Lee but it’s quite clear they messed up by locking him up.
I want Tommy Lee and Cabral to SUE THE PANTS OFF OF DOMINICA. I wish them all the best of luck. As a dominican i support this move as the gov’t clearly broke the caricom agreement which speaks of free movement of caricom citizens and ability for skilled persons and atitsians to be able to work in caricom territories. dominica is a signatory to this regional agreement and most blatantly violated it under the influence of superstitious, scared, over zealous, jealous,wicked and spiteful people who use God as an excuse to exert their malice. The show was intended for adults only, yet they insisted that the “youth” would some how be affected by the music, like the music isnt played on the radio, tv and internet all day. hypocrites. I propose that the government MAKE the church representatives who insisted on this injustice be MADE to pay whatever fine the courts hand down if any. Churches dont pay any taxes so why should they be allowed to dictate who visits and doesnt visit here?
Plus all the pastors do is collect the offerings and tithes (FREE TAX FREE MONEY) every week, and pocket the residuals after they pay the lights and water bill and one or 2 “administrative” fees. They are rich under the guise of religion. If you want free money, work on your gift of gab, and start your own church. you work 1-2 days a week and you just collect from the flock who you tell what they want to hear on a weekly basis. simple self employment.
You said it right troof, skilled artisans, but persons with criminal background and criminal intent are not welcome .He was banned from entering here , where I live and so was Movado . Tell them to sue us also. The Government and its people have the right to protect its citizens from criminals entering the country. Caricom or no Caricom.
This ‘human rights’ shill is a joke. Another ‘Dr’, which is a dead giveaway.
Our PM is too well-connected to be touched by these fools. He is a ‘made man’ and only the illuminati can bring him down and a $3M deal is not an illuminati event, trust me
Remember what our powers that be did to GON? Millions (I repeat ‘millilons’) missing from GON’s practice, their accomplice still free and practising law; GON totally stifled, shafted as no court in the Caribbean has any appetite to take things forward; plus a warning for GON by burning down his house? Now, that’s raw power for you.
Cabral, you will end up bankrupt over this. Really, you will.
Shut your face, bend over and take it like a man as we all have to do under the rule of our current regime.
Um this isnt a personal charge on the PM, it is against the state. Skerrit wont be paying any charges personally, that comes out of the government treasury. Also that last part about bending over and taking it “like a man” suggests that you support homosexuality. Because a real man not supposed to bend over and take nothing like anything from anyone.
Please do not be homophobic on this site and respect our sister Natalie’s opinion.
Yes, bending over and taking it is not unmanly. It is the thing that must be done to survive these days. After all, Dominican men are all expert at this as they now have had a regime in place now for many years which they do not validate and like, but still the regime is in place and is going from strength to strength.
“Our PM is too well-connected to be touched by these fools. “(Natalie).
Don’t you think that is a very stupid comment?
What does Skerrit connection has to do with Douglas suing the government? Money is the name of the game; Skerrit has already paid only God knows how much of the Dominica taxpayers dollars the Jamaican culprit he walked away with!
Skerrit has not told Dominicans how much it cost the Dominican people for the deportation on one who came to our country, and broke our immigration laws, and when he was deported, Skerrit said due to some stupid agreement he has no alternative than to pay that dirty looking guy what he demanded.
All Cabral is doing is simply taking advantage of a bad situation; if he could have made a living practicing law, he would not be filing in a frivolous law suit!
Franciso you old fool
We all know that Skerritt’s money, is Dominica’s money and vice versa. Wake up and grow a pair will you 
Will you use your US3 million to form a new party next election? If so i would like to join, Rosie Douglas is back.
Cabral i wish you luck. But remember the court are BOUGHT!!
That will teach the goverment not to listen to the church people.
The government listened to Tony Astaphan.
where is his land of birth again??? I guess he will hire the whole of Jamaica to come against small dominica,,,but it’s okay!!! we are smaller in size but morne diablotin is our heart beat,can cabral be barred from returning to dominica after that??? like his citizenship revoked?? ,this is a country where everyone has to sacrifice in other to build a strong economy, this man who hails from a wealthy family sees it fit to try and gain a great portion of the simple wealth that this country is fighting had to build up,ironical that strangers are aiding the country,while it’s own is trying to sneezle from it,class patriotism for a member of the douglas family.
you idiot. No he cant be barred he is owned by Dominica as seen on his birth certificate. This is where he belongs. Also the phrase is “in ORDER, not in Other”:. Understand that this is necessary punishment for the nation. We cannot sign treaties and bold facely break them out of ignorance and fear. Now we want to act strong? only now? when those church monkeys were spreading fear and nonsense in the hearts and minds of our people like terrorists about a single man only now we want to act strong?
Why didn’t he take the most experience lawyer who lives close to alkapoon in Dominica to champion his case? Well come Cabral we waiting for you and tommy Lee. We already have a evil leader of the “position” talking nonsense everyday on 95 radio stations in Dominican and the world u think you coming here to poison our young peoples mind more? NO WAY. We believe in free movement but our national security takes prissident
The question of national security does no arise in this case, none on the persons who landed in Dominica have criminal records nor did they commit any crime in Dominica!
They were in Dominica to honour the terms of their contract as artists entered into with Douglas, Dominicans are too damn stupid…
Skerrit needs to settle that matter and stop waiting the courts time….
That is an interesting case. I look forward to the timely completion and result. The government of Dominica through the AG and this time not QC have shown how incompetent it is. First agreeing to settle out of court and then changing its mind. Let us see how our first CCJ case goes. I am with you on this one Cabral!!!
Honorary Doctorate encore