Dominica-born attorney-at-law Emil George QC will chair a Commission of Enquiry in Jamaica that will handle the extradition request for former West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke and the subsequent engagement of US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
Retired permanent secretary Anthony Irons and attorney-at-law Donald Scharschmidt QC will assist George.
George, the Honorary Consul for Dominica in Jamaica, was called to the Bar in England in 1955, admitted to the Jamaican Bar in 1956 and is also a member of the Bars of Dominica, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla and St. Kitts-Nevis.
George is a well-known advocate in civil litigation and also practices employment law. He sits on the Boards of Directors of several large public companies.
George was educated at the Dominica Grammar School and a graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford University. In 2002 he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, one of Jamaica’s highest national honours.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, George has appeared in resident magistrates courts in civil and criminal matters, describing the Dominican in the courtroom was “articulate, with a flair for the dramatic, but never impudent”.
Just last week, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding declared the government’s intention to set up the commission in response to pressure from the Opposition People’s National Party and a several interest groups and individuals.
The law firm, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips was reportedly hired by Jamaica Labour Party affiliates, with the approval by Golding, to lobby the United States government on Coke’s behalf.
Prior to an admission by Golding earlier this year that he had endorsed the initiative, government had insisted that no arrangement was reached between itself and the firm.
However, Solicitor General Douglas Leys, is said to have met with representatives of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips at the invitation of attorney-at-law Harold Brady for what was termed “exploratory discussions”, contrary to what the firm said.
It also said that any money, which had changed hands, was through a link between Brady and the firm.
SOURCES: Jamaica-Gleaner.com/JamaicaObserver.com
good job
@mouth of the south: Did you read and understand the first paragraph of the article?? It’s an inquiry into the HANDLING of, what turned out to be the Dudus fiasco/tragedy, by the Government of Jamaica/Jamaica Labour Party.
we need you hear to do the same into the skerrit mass accumulation of properties which his legal income cannot sustain…
@Chief: hmmm interesting because he didn’t acknowledge his own brother (my father) as his blood only because my dad’s father was not born of the same mother as his. hmmmm very upstanding human being i must say! My Father was THE BETTER MAN!
GOOD JOB. PROUD OF DOMINICANS EVERY WHERE!
That commission won’t go anywhere. Mr. George has a long and distinguished close association with the Jamaica Labor Party. He was made an independent senator by Edward Seaga who led the JLP for thirty years after the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) refuse to participate in the 1983 snap election. He and other independent senators were to seat in the opposition benches since there was no opposition. He was also given many high ranking positions by the JLP including Appeals Tribunal of the Ministry of Education, among others.
In a country with a history of extreme partisan politics Mr. George’s association with the JLP will certainly cloud his judgment now that he is being asked to investigate a matter that many people agree was poorly handled by the JLP. Its like asking Tony Astaphan to investigate the much talked about villa ownership in Dominica.
No wonder Bruce Golding did not consult the opposition on the selection of the commission although he had promised to do so in parliament. His excuse: the leader of the opposition could not be located. hmmm
Great man ..Dominican are all over the world doing great contributions.
i thought mr.coke was already in the u.s,,,,in fact he did came into white plains,,new york,,,i have the youtube vid also lol
u quick to talk, read. toneh
My heart goes out to Mr. George and all the other Dominicans out there that are good…..Jah Bless
Great man. Met and interacted with him in person and over the phone and he was such a humble man. I am very happy to hear that he was chosen to head the commission. Good choice.
We, the People of Dominica salute you for your great accomplishments; we are proud of you not only as a dominican, but as a professional judicial expert, whose credentials can help our country navigate through its current political turmoil.
Greetings
Wish u all the best. Good to see Dominicans doing well.