New AG Anthony Sylvester Speaks About Taking Up Office

Anthony Sylvester

He took up office as Attorney General of Belize at the end of June, replacing Magali Marin-Young after two and a half years as chief legal officer for the Briceño Administration. Tonight, in his first interview as AG, Anthony Sylvester speaks to News Five about taking on the role, including litigation brought against the government. Among those cases now under his management are legal challenges over cruise ports.  As chief legal officer to the Government of Belize, he also deals with the drafting and amendment of legislation. AG Sylvester says that it is a task that he is prepared to take on.

Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General

“It is an honor to be selected and to serve in the office of Attorney General of the country. The Attorney General’s Ministry, the mandate and the role is very vast. It includes advising all government ministries, it involves as well representing all government ministries and at times statutory bodies in matters before the court. As well it includes, we have the primary focus of ensuring that legislations. There may be an issue with respect to the need for changes in traffic regulations. So the ministry may have that as a policy, but it is our ministry, our drafters, our very competent, able committed team of drafters and other crown counsel in the litigation unit, the international affairs unit, the legal advice unit. They basically ensure that the governance of this country is able to be done. Because on a day-to-day basis, every ministry needs advise, they need guidance, they need representation.”

Duane Moody

“Dah the AG gets sued whenever the government gets sued.”

Anthony Sylvester

“Yes, yes, yes. So it is, our role is indeed very vast, very wide and I am very fortunate to have a very committed and a very able team and support system.”