Michael Laudat appointed magistrate in Dominica

Michael Laudat

Retired Inspector of Police, Michael Laudat is now a magistrate in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Judicial & Legal Services Commission (JLSC) based in St. Lucia, approved the recommendation for his appointment and Laudat took his oath and was handed his instrument of appointment on February 14, 2019 by President of Dominica Charles Savarin.

In attendance at the brief ceremony were his wife and a few other family members.

Laudat served for 38 years in the police force and on numerous occasions acted in the post of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

In April 2018, Laudat retired from the police force and a ceremony was held in his honour at which the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Evelina Baptiste described him as “a dedicated man to his work.”

He is well known for his prosecutorial skills having been attached to the DPP’s office as Principal Police Prosecutor and between from 1990 and 2013, underwent several local, regional and international training stints  in various areas of crime and prosecution, among others.

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40 Comments

  1. Dr. Sam Christian
    February 18, 2019

    Congratulations Magistrate Laudat!
    You have exhibited great consistency, patience & balance.
    May our Lord God Almighty continue light your path and guide you in wisdom…

  2. francis henry aka teglupes
    February 18, 2019

    congratulations my friend, position well deserve.

  3. teglupes
    February 18, 2019

    congrats my friend, proud of you comrade.

  4. carltymas
    February 18, 2019

    Congratulations Mr. Laudat. Wishing you success.

    • dee
      February 18, 2019

      Carlty
      I will join you in Congratulating Michael .
      He will do a good job , if he continues his diligence as in the force . As a colleague he was a dedicated Police officer who applied himself wholeheartedly . he should continue in that vein , I am sure he will . Good Luck Michael .

  5. Umbudsman
    February 18, 2019

    Hold your own BURK. Keep Focused

  6. Listener
    February 17, 2019

    Congratulations Michael!
    Well deserved
    Your Cous

  7. Such a shame
    February 16, 2019

    Get off the man’s case, bunch of haters.
    You don’t need formal qualifications nor legal training to become a magistrate.
    Besides, he’s more than qualified for the position.
    How many of you here criticising have degrees? Well he does.
    Dominicans are always so quick to tear people down without knowing them, it’s sad.

  8. Lady Valley
    February 16, 2019

    Congratulations to Mr. Laudat. A hard working and experienced prosecutor. But why was the contract of Mr. Ossie Lewis, who studied law and graduated from law school discontinued after 12+ years as Magistrate? Arley Gill has said good bye after Skerrit gave his career a start as a magistrate in Dominica. Having accumulated a few years of experience as a magistrate, he said thank you to Skerrit and returned to serve his people in Grenada.

    • Frank N Stein
      February 19, 2019

      Skerrit gave Arley a start? Arly was a well accomplished lawyer and a minister of government before he came here. Do you research and stop talking magee on DNO

  9. Ugh
    February 16, 2019

    How can he make decisions without a thorough understanding of the law. Police prosecutors never have formal training. Ugh. Smh

    • Do better
      February 16, 2019

      How do you know if he has “thorough understanding” of the law or not? Do you have a copy of his CV?
      Even the article says that he underwent several local, regional and international training stints in various areas of crime and prosecution.
      If you feel you can do better, go apply for the position and make a meaningful contribution rather than sitting here criticising.

    • Anonymous
      February 17, 2019

      stop being a Grinch!!! You know nothing about this man, he qualifications and training which i bet is way past whatever you are worth!!!! Be supportive to your fellow Dominicans and your country rather than diminishing it! #WhatDoYouKnow #GrinchForDays

    • Dixie Normas
      February 18, 2019

      “He is well known for his prosecutorial skills having been attached to the DPP’s office as Principal Police Prosecutor and between from 1990 and 2013, underwent several local, regional and international training stints in various areas of crime and prosecution, among others.” all that experience and you still asking questions?? you just want to bring down the man!

  10. Maybe
    February 16, 2019

    Congrats bro you deserve it well done

  11. Victorious
    February 16, 2019

    You cant keep a good man down those who tried their best to block you are confounded! When Jesus say yes nobody can say no! He is highly qualified and competent to fill the position of Magistrate.!

  12. Tobby
    February 16, 2019

    Based on some jurisdiction you don’t need a law degree to be a magistrate, once you a knowledgeable of the law and well respected, however a law degree would be an asset. But in Mr. Laudat’s case his qualifications should make public, so we can have an idea as to what we dealing with at court. And also we do not know whether a vacant position was there for a magistrate and he applied or it was based on political affiliations. We need to know.

    • SMH
      February 17, 2019

      Everything for you people is politics??? What do we know about you tobby? As far as it seems you sound like envious man who got turned down because of YOUR political affiliatons? Rings a bell much???

  13. London
    February 16, 2019

    In London you don’t need a degree to become a magistrate. Well done Micheal !!!!

  14. Henry
    February 16, 2019

    Does this man have a degree? Have he gone to univarsity? At least a bachelor’s? No information on this man… most police officers in thay force are unqualified I wsnt to know whay is the requirement for a magistrate

    • Man bites dogs
      February 16, 2019

      @ Henry, Why don’t you ask that same question off Lennox Linton, what Qualifications has he got. His answer will be “I left school at so and so with no Qualifications” because I was kicked out of the premises.

    • Do better
      February 16, 2019

      Yes, he is qualified and has his degrees? He left the force to further his studies in the United States.
      Do you have degrees?? Which “univarsity” did you go to? Just asking.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      February 16, 2019

      You do not have to worry about him having a degree: In Dominica it is my experience lots of people who only had elementary school get out at Standard Seven; nor “Form Seven” joined the force and climb through the ranks and became police Inspectors and ultimately prosecutors. 

      There is something similar in the British system, however, they are not allowed to play magistrate past seventy years of age.

      Times have changed; nobody who has not studied law should sit in judgment over anyone. True they have a manual with sentencing guideline; nevertheless the danger with that is finding someone guilty who might be well innocent of committing a crime.

      There are many innocent people who could not afford a lawyer in Dominica sent to jail by so called magistrate who were guided by police prosecutors who never set foot in a secondary school one day in there life it is time to bring to and end these primitive practices in our country!

      • What is Wrong with Dumbnicans
        February 17, 2019

        How sad for you that you don’t seem to know S***!!!! i cause i know this man and he is way past qualified! what are you? who’s asking about your qualifications?

    • February 18, 2019

      Your grammar is scary !
      That is what you need to really worry about !

  15. Bwa-Banday
    February 16, 2019

    Congratulations partner and I wish you all the best. With your extensive and qualifications and experience I have no doubt you will hold your own and not play politics. Knowing personally, this is the FIRST time I see the DLP appoint an outsider (non political person) to a position that they are qualified to hold.Hopefully they not playing games because election coming but rather recognized your qualifications and ability to do the job.

    And to the people who do not know, in many countries today particularly former British territories and commonwealth nations one does not need a law degree to be a “lay” magistrate, justice of the peace, or coroner. Legal knowledge (familiarity) and other general qualifications are all you need. So Mr. Laudat is highly qualified due to past experience and training during his long policing career. Good luck partner.

    • Truth
      February 16, 2019

      Well I guess Mr. Laudat drop the case against the Government for him to have gotten this appointment??!!! Scratch my back and I will scratch yours.

      Congratulations to you Sir!!

  16. Bob
    February 15, 2019

    The British policeman who has returned to dominica should be effectively utilised for his knowledge

    • Bwa-Banday
      February 16, 2019

      I agree 100% but the question remains; Has he applied to be a magistrate?

    • %
      February 16, 2019

      @Bob
      I know him well. Brilliant guy. Extreme intllect..He is level headed and Frank .Thing is that he seems to fine with where he is..!!!

  17. My Bad
    February 15, 2019

    So Mills might be made the attorney General Sunday at the DLP delegates party man? I wouldn’t at all be surprised. Well Donald Trump feels he might be in legal trouble with the Mueller investigation and as a result, he appointed his new AG today to handle the investigation and play some magic for him, so you think Skerrit not smelling some hot coffee coming his way so he too appointed his magistrate to perform some magic foe him? The move was just strange and deserves some questions

  18. Dentists Wanted
    February 15, 2019

    I do not know Mr. Laudat but based on his time served as a police officer I guess he deserves it. But I am not too sure we need more magistrates at this time. What we do need urgently is some good DENTISTS to root out, uproot or tiway those rotten teeth we have smelling all over in Dominica. We need those stinking old rotten teeth pulled out man

  19. Amarossa
    February 15, 2019

    So what are his official legal qualifications? Does he have a law degree at least?
    Asking for myself because I fed up of those square pegs in round holes in D’ca.

    • urrghh
      February 17, 2019

      And We’re fed up of you!

  20. MD cuz
    February 15, 2019

    My dearest friend congratulations to you pn a well derserved position. Wow I am lost for words. Good things come to those who work hatd and diligent. You have my blessings I’ll tell u who this is person… Congratulations once again sir’..

  21. samsungspeeps
    February 15, 2019

    I hope this is a joke, I see nowhere it says he was a practicing lawyer.

    • Lenny
      February 16, 2019

      “He is well known for his prosecutorial skills having been attached to the DPP’s office as Principal Police Prosecutor”

  22. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    February 15, 2019

    What qualification is needed to be a magistrate?

    In modern usage, a magistrate is a judge or lawyer who hears cases in courts. In the United Kingdom, the term magistrate usually refers to a volunteer of the Magistrates’ Courts. Historically, in Canada, magistrates were retired police officers, but they are now lawyers appointed by the lieutenant-governor-in-council.
    It would appear to me that one should have some in law in order to be a magistrate.
    In America: 

    Arbitrator, Mediator and Conciliator. These positions normally require at least a bachelor’s degree along with relevant work experience, although some require a master’s degree or a law degree. These professionals work outside of the court system to attempt resolution of conflicts between parties.

    I do not see how someone can serve in the capacity of a magistrate before obtaining a law degree, one who never attended law school. That is why  Magistrates in Dominica, renders verdicts based on their personal feelings…

    • as it is
      February 21, 2019

      The commonwealth law system & the Us law systems are two different. Stop comparing. He has been in the Position of a Prosecutor for at least 20 years. holding the position of Principle Police Prosecutor.

  23. alexis
    February 15, 2019

    Congrats mr. laudat, well deserved. the police force should have sent you to study law and retain you as a police prosecutor or advisor, but you know how it goes down there.

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