The outgoing Chief Justice of the OECS Supreme Court has been described as “hard working, dedicated, honest, a deep thinker”.
The accolades were heaped on Justice Hugh Rawlins by members of Dominica’s legal fraternity as they paid tribute to the head of the appeals court who is set to demit office in a month’s time.
Those attending the special sitting of the court of appeal in Dominica on Monday included resident Judges Bernie Stephenson Brooks and Brian Cottle, Senior Counsels Geoffrey Harris and Anthony Astaphan, DPP Gene Pestaina, former Attorney General Francine Baron, attorneys Dawn Yearwood Stewart and Henry Dyer along with President of the Dominica Bar Association Wynante Adrian Roberts.
After hearing the many remarks that he would be missed, along with well wishes for himself and his wife Lady Catherine, Sir Hugh expressed thanks for “all the kind words” and said he enjoyed working with them.
He showered praises on the bailiff George Bellot and the court staff, police and prison services.
At the special sitting a minute’s silence was observed for the late lawyer Bernard McDonald Christopher, who suddenly passed away last week after a brief illness.
Chief Justice Rawlings described Christopher as “a flamboyant person” who was always a major fixture wherever the court sat in Dominica.
“It is sad to see that just a few months ago he was here with us and we are sitting today and he is absent…he will be missed,” the chief justice said.
He also paid tribute to retired appeals court judge Dominican Albert Matthew who he said is now “sick” and not doing well.
“He was a pillar of strength and even when he retired we were able to call on him for help,” Sir Hugh stated.
He paid tribute too, to Ola Mae Edwards who recently retired from the bench, and called on lawyers here to continue working hard.
WHY WAS THE LATE KEITH ALLEYNE AND HIS SON BRIAN who was ag CJ NOT MENTIONED AMONG LUMINARIES ?
WHY DID SUCH A CASE OF SUCH HUGE EPIC PROPORTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTION OF DOMINCA AND THE LEGALITY OF A SIITING PRIME MINISTER TAKS SO LONG TO BE HRARD
WHY UNDER THE WATCH OF THIS SO CALLED GREAT RETIRING JUDGE THAT THIS WAS LEFT TO LANGUISH ?
yeah and also geoffrey harris
I do hope that some of those persons who are baked journalists listened carefully to what the outgoing legal luminary had to say. Too often we allow our petty partisan interests and sense of arrogance to take hold of our better judgment. Many of us fail to recognise that our voices do not make any difference to who are to or was or will be given responsibilities within the legal system of the OECS.Yet like school children , who have lost a cricket match we take our balls to our homes after we have beem bowled or hit for six. The intellectual laughing stock of Dominica we will remain. SOME OF US WIL EVEN FIND LUZURY IN A NORTH EASTERN VILLAGE BY A LAVILLE PHILANTROPIST ( A GREAT HONORABLE MAN ).
DNO whe didnt you report whether or not the current minister of legal affairs, a member of te local bar, was present at this important ceremony for the outgoing CHIEF JUSTICE RAWLINS? We the readers need some clarification on the matter. Its rather pathetic that while the CJ was weary about the unfounded attacts on mebers of the OECS courts especially being encouraged by half cooked media prostitutes and some former bencher, we are rather disappointed that IAN Douglas is not known to repel such attacks form whosever/whatsoever source(s). I think as a holder of this office he should dsitance himself from the conspiracy that ie emrging to bring the profession, the local bar and the OECS court into disrepute. Issues emanating from England and certain attitudes that do not have their genesis in Dominica must not be allowed to take root in our land. I was indeed happy when the learned CJ made comparisons and slo made reference to the http://www.ecsc.com An anlysis thereof will allow readers to get some idea of the work that this court has been doing.
Dominica has produced some of the more distinguished legal luminaries who have worked throyghout the region and who are trained and experienced.Reference needs to be made of deceased Cecil Rawle, Justice Ashton Piper, Prof Telford Georges, Justice Euphraim Georges, retired Justice of Appeal Albert Mathew,DR the HON N J O liverpool, current Justice of OECS Appeal Davidson Baptiste( fellow), Jenner Armour,Justice Andre,F O C Harris, and Anthony Astaphans SC etc. We have to shower tremendous praises on these individuals for they have served the nation and region very well.
I must say thank you to all those who continue to do their duty to God and country. None of us is perfect. Theprofessional community in the world is being subjected to endless scrutiny but the maedia must play a balancing act and not to become the medium through which persons are being villified. Dno must also be very vigilant in terms of what message it puts out and the types of comments which are being published. As i have said before and its worth repeating, DNO must seek legal advice on matters that come up for publication a mere disclaimer does not protect DNO from DEFAMATIOM and clearly quite alot of comments border on defamation.
adios Chief justice we will miss you enjpy your retirement!
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for outgoing justice chef Rawlins who continued to maintain the well known integrity of this highly respectable court withing the Commonwealth caribbean. His leadership and profoundity of the law is highly recognised throughout. Its rather unfortunate that a rather unsound yet disbaled minority which is politically driven continue to atttempt at politicizing this court when decisions go against then.
What have we come to in this country ? Its strange that the current minister of legal affairs was not featured as amongst the persons who was present at this Historical tribute based sitting of the court of apppeal. DNO was Ian Douglas present? Some member of his family seemed to continue to launch attact upon attack……but that is another story.
I do hope however that the philantropic man in the north continue to give support financial and otherwise. Do you know that a Historian once said that D L A rule the north of Dominica i.e Douglas Armour Laville ? I know that their are Armour lawyers and also Douglas but a new intersts is being shown to a Laville. though not a lawyer but such intersts is being shown by a lawyer based on laville’s niceness, His children are not to happy about these things yet LEGAL VISITS from the north persists.
Well Dominica is small small small and we do hope that no one extorts money from anyone because this is illegal and lawyers must act their words and not be hypocritical. At times people take advantage of the good heart of others; when they should know better. I guess wherever they are bad habbits continue. The river street mayor once said TIME WILL TELL. The UK case will soon be issued to the public…and matters related thereto.
Condolences to DON C and happy retirement to CJ rawlins and speedy recovery to yet another son of the soil who served us well and also the court of appeal Albert Mathew who is just one member of a distinguished legal family from the impoverished and backward Newtown region. Sad that for such a community that has produced so much legal minds that its still underdeveloped and polluted with drugs, alcohol and crime ! The parl rep does nothing about this and the government has turned a blind eye on Newtown.