Britney Zarah Pharoah, the newest addition to Dominica’s legal fraternity vows to advocate for the long pending Legal Professions Act in Dominica to safeguard not only the profession but clients.
This comes as the 28-year-old Grandbarian was called to the bar on November 25, 2021.
The application to admit Pharoah to practise as a barrister and solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Commonwealth of Dominica was made virtually before High Court Judge, Justice Bernie Stephenson.
Her Petition to be admitted to the practice was put forward by attorney-at-law Jilane Prevost from Prevost and Prevost Chambers and seconded by Kathy Buffong-Royer of Pinnacle Law Chambers.
Pharoah, who spoke to Dominica News Online (DNO), says the Legal Profession Act which is an Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) initiative, will improve the legal fraternity in Dominica.
The act makes provisions for lawyers who bring the profession into disrepute, to be disciplined. It also provides for the enrolment and practice of legal practitioners and for the establishment of a general legal council with functions relating to legal education.
“The act will guide how we lawyers handle the profession of law and it will hold us accountable for all our errors. So it would be an opportunity for clients to be able to initiate legal action against a lawyer if they decide that they are not going to fulfill their duties to their clients,” Pharoah said.
During her first address to the court, Pharoah vowed to uphold the rule of law and her ethical obligation to the court, counsel and clients while effectively discharging her duties with integrity and dignity and “always being cognizant of the societal ills and issues in the world today, and the changes to the law.”
She pledged to maintain the level of integrity which the legal profession demands and not to bring her reputation and that of the court into dispute.
While Pharoah says her childhood commitment of becoming an attorney has now been fulfilled, she revealed that it was not without its challenges.
“Today marks what I consider to be the most anticipated and proudest moment of my life, and the beginning of what I know will be a very fulfilling, successful and invigorating legal career,” the attorney stated. “I am humbled by what seemed to be insurmountable challenges that I faced at every single step of my journey to get to this point.”
However Pharoah, who was the second runner up in the 2016 Miss Dominica Pageant, said through it all, she persevered by finding strength and fortitude in her faith in God, and her belief that through constant prayer, dedication and hard work, “I would be successful.”
As the first university graduate in her family, the attorney thanked her parents Vantie Pharoah and Theodora Letang, for their many sacrifices; her siblings, family, close friends and colleagues whose support she also deemed invaluable.
She further expressed gratitude to the government of Dominica for their financial support during her educational journey.
The Grand Bay native promised to be at the service of her fellow Grandbarians, as she is the only attorney-at-law currently resident in the community.
She proclaimed that throughout her professional journey, she will be guided by her new mantra “whom much is given, much is indeed expected.’
Pharoah further pledged to be a beacon of inspiration and hope to others who aspire to one day join the legal profession.
Wooy Britney, I’m so impressed. Last time I go granbay, saw you briefly, you bought Kareem a bakes by Gregory instead of giving him the $, we thought you were on to bigger things but we didn’t know exactly what. Big up,, best of luck my girl.
So where did Lennox Linton go wrong?He did what you say,went on the internet and represented himself at the Prevy Council in England .
Wrong story Bozo.
Woo hoo! Way to go Britney!
“The act will guide how we lawyers handle the profession of law and it will hold us accountable for all our errors.” The ‘errors’ is one thing but the dishonesty – now that’s the issue that needs addressing.
Congratulations young lady. Continue to champion your cause. The Legal Profession Act is much needed in order to protect the public from lawyers who abuse their positions. We see this happen too often with no consequences or repercussions for their actions. We see acts such as falsification of documents/deeds/wills (a few examples) in order to defraud clients/families of possessions, land in particular go unpunished.
Continue to champion that cause.
#OneLoveDominica #OLD767
And who says that we can’t represent ourselves in the political arena? Don’t forget that Politics was borne out of Grand Bay, by E.C. Loblack from Bois Den, as our brother Harian mentioned. We have had and still have the best minds in Grand Bay. Grandbarians, don’t forget that hard work pays off. That’s why our sister, Miss Pharoah, is where she envisioned herself to be today. We must stop being complacent and dependent. We need to get off our asses and work for what we need instead of continuing that dependency syndrome.
UNAPOLOGETIC
This is absolutey a courageous move which I am a strong advocate for. I wish you all the best Ms Pharoah in your efforts to raising the standard of the OECS Bar and that of your country. In additon I would like to acknowledge those who stood in solidarity with you on this critical issue.
Some time back the jobs which were easily available were, school teachers, bank clerks, cashiers and laborers. Today we have politicians and lawyers; two crooked and dishonest professions. Been bitten by three lawyers in Roseau Dominica. I urge Dominicans to do their best to represent themselves in court instead gambling with a lawyer. Go on the internet and get the information associated with your case. Then all you have to do is speak the truth, have receipts, a witness or two (if possible) a tape recorded conversation of you and the defendant (if you are the plaintiff) pictures of items (exhibits). Most importantly, ask God for guidance. Else dem liars will eat your money and may not even have a file to your case.
Good luck and God’s blessings on this journey my dear!
A Legal Profession Act is long overdue in our country. Legal practitioners should be held to account for their actions, especially as they have given a public undertaking to uphold the law. I cannot recall an attorney-at-law of our bar association ever having been barred from practicing, which is unheard off in countries like the U.K. for example and would suggest that in Dominica they are all paragons of impeccable behaviour when I would aver that this is not the case and unrealistic.