President of the Bar has choice words for the PM

Dean Barrow

At his press conference last week, Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed that the contract of Justice of Appeal Samuel Awich has been renewed and extended until he is seventy-five. The decision by the PM comes despite a resolution from the Bar Association withholding support for the Justice’s appointment. It is not the first time that the Bar has come out against Justice Awich. It is in fact the third time, and the question was put to PM Barrow at his press conference on Wednesday and in the House on Friday. On both occasions, the PM made stinging reference to President of the Bar, Eamon Courtenay. Today, Courtenay responded, and he pulled no punches. In fact, he threw more than a few. We start with the comments of the PM from Friday’s House sitting.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Samuel Awich

“The President of the Bar, who is a…I don’t say this in any bad way…well known longstanding member, activist, minister of the People’s United Party…found reason as an advocate and because of a certain case that was before the Supreme Court…to complain about that appointment, asking for the Judge to recuse himself from that matter because his appointment was faulty and there was bias. The Court of Appeal refused and they went to the CCJ…and the CCJ scolded them and sent them packing, saying that everything was done properly with respect to the two year appointment of Justice Awich. He was fit and proper, be off with you.”

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, President, Bar Association

“It was approximately four years ago that the Bar Association of Belize passed a resolution complaining about the failure for the delivery of judgments by all judges. Chief Justice Conteh was Chief Justice at the time. After we did that we gave a deadline for compliance. That deadline came and it was shown that Justice Awich was the Judge that was not in compliance with our requests that they deliver judgments. The Bar passed a resolution at that time that he resign from office or be removed. I was not President of the Bar and I had no case before the court of appeal on which Justice Awich was sitting. The Bar from four years ago was doing that. When the Prime Minister decided to appoint Justice Awich to the Court of Appeal two years ago, the Bar Association passed a resolution opposing it saying that Justice Awich lacked the wherewithal to do it. I was not the President of the Bar at that time and I had no case in the Court of Appeal with the nationalization in which Justice Awich was sitting.”