Claim Against J.L.S.C. is Before the Supreme Court

Michael Peyrefitte

The Bar Association is challenging the suspension of President Cheryl-Lyn Vidal from meetings of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.  Vidal, who is also the Director of Public Prosecutions, had been sidelined indefinitely from the activities of the J.L.S.C. by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, who is also the chair of the commission.  As such, a claim has been filed against the presiding judge of the high court by attorney Andrew Marshalleck who is a member of the legal fraternity.  The composition of the J.L.S.C. includes the chair of the Public Services Commission, the president of the Bar Association, as well as the Solicitor General.  Excluding the bar representative has led to concerns being raised about judicial appointments.

Reporter

“What should happen or could happen in the situation where the bar is taking the chair of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission because the D.P.P., as the president, as well, is not being allowed to attend meetings?”

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General

“I don’t comment in matters before the court.  It was filed a week or so ago and we have to be the ones preparing the brief and defending, so I can’t comment on matters before the court.  The court would decide, they would determine whether or not it was unconstitutional for the Chief Justice to so-called not have the D.P.P. as the president of the bar sit in on JLSC matters.  The court will have to determine that.”