Dominica Bar Association ready for implementation of Legal Professions Act

Roberts (left) is president of the Dominica Bar Association

The Dominica Bar Association (DBA) says they are “ready” for the full implementation of the Legal Professions Act (LPA).

“The DBA has looked at the Legal Professions Act (LPA) and we are ready for its full passage into law,” Mary Roberts President of the DBA told a press conference last week.

“This Act is an Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) initiative and the DBA has no problems with it and we need for the legislation to be passed. We have relayed all our concerns to the relevant authorities and are waiting for its implementation.  The passage of the LPA will see lawyers becoming members of the DBA also the regulating of the professionals,” Roberts said.

This LPA has been in the making now from since 2010 with every president of the DBA fully supporting its implementation. The DBA said that presently it is in the Chambers of Attorney General Levi Peters.

John Elu Charles

Meantime, on the issue of the proposed changes by the government to the House of Assembly Elections Act, the Bar Association disclosed that they had made a presentation at government’s public consultation and stated, “We were very concerned about the process of law making.”

John Elu Charles a senior legal draftsman with wide ranging experience in legal drafting, speaking on behalf of the DBA, said the  content and model that is being used is cause for concern.”

“The policy is not clear because we have not seen any written documents that articulate that clear policy. The model used is the St. Kitts model. We have to be clear because the policy will determine the legislation and the policy does not appear to be clear and we are concerned about that especially since we have not seen the policy, we are also a bit hampered,” Charles said.

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5 Comments

  1. Bob Denis
    November 21, 2018

    From what thats being said, it seems that there is some lacked of respect towards the DBA by Mr Skerrit/DLP, isn’t the Law body suppose to keep any Gov’t on their p’ and q’ ? Collaboration is very immoral , and the Law association have a history of doing just that . The DBA association should be the ones to demand check and balance on the Gov’t short comings , but they may be in to deep .

  2. max
    November 21, 2018

    I am in full agreement with you Madam President. It is about time The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been ready since Earl Williams has been in Parliament. It is long overdue.

  3. Ibo France
    November 21, 2018

    The justice system is extremely critical for democracy to flourish in any democratic country. The country needs laws, particularly, those governing the electoral system, that are blind and fair. Ones that favor no political parties but benefit all Dominicans.
    One cannot ignore the numerous hits Dominica has taken in recent times from Mother Nature. This quote by Thomas Jefferson readily comes to mind.
    “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

  4. %
    November 21, 2018

    On the issue of electoral reform,I think that it is preposterous that we are the last country in the Caribbean not to have this important aspect of our democracy in place .. It is high jacked by a non functioning electoral commission and a leader who is terrified about leaving office …We cannot go into another election without reform .
    S M G
    S M G
    L S My G N

  5. %
    November 21, 2018

    Extremely late,but it sounds good. Signs that some of you are seeing and hearing some things that are wrong.Dominica just cannot go lower…Step up to the task of rescuing Waitikubuli lawyers.
    S M G
    S M G
    L S M G N

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