Bar to be Absent from Ceremonial Opening of Supreme Court
The Supreme Court opens this coming Monday. The ceremony has traditionally been one of pomp featuring a full turnout of the Judiciary as well as the Bar. But that will change this coming Monday, and it is a first. All this in light of a challenge presently before the Supreme Court involving Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, as chair of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The event, which is scheduled for January thirteenth, will not see the President of the Bar, Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, delivering her annual address. The legal contention between the Bar Association and the J.L.S.C. chair follows the sidelining of its president from meetings, as it is CJ Benjamin’s position that the duality of the president’s role presents a conflict. The matter of delayed judgments is another grievance by the Bar. Here’s what the Attorney General had to say about the bar’s pending absence.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
“The bar is a private bar, they can choose to attend or not attend if they want. That’s their choice.”
Isani Cayetano
“Okay, but it has to do with the current situation regarding the challenge with the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and its existing composition.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well that’s what they claim in their release as one of their issues, yes. So, like I said, it’s their right to make that challenge and it’s their right as well to not attend if they don’t want to attend. The claim in court will be heard and the court will decide whether or not they were correct.”
Isani Cayetano
“However, the bar president’s presentation, like the AG’s and the Chief Justice’s, is one of the key features in the ceremonial opening.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Right. So then you’re saying that it’s key it must mean that the public thinks it’s key. If they are willing to give up that right then that’s their choice. I wouldn’t, if I were them I wouldn’t give it up but I don’t control the bar. That’s a bar association decision, so if they choose to not be heard that’s their prerogative.”
Isani Cayetano
“From an objective point of view and it’s a bit difficult since you are the attorney general, do you believe that their position has teeth or that they stand on solid grounds to lodge the kind of challenge that they are?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well I don’t want to comment on that because it’s before the court. The court will decide, the court will decide that. They didn’t consult with me before they filed the motion so I don’t think I should give any type of opinion regarding that. They made their decision and the bar association well knows that once a matter is before the court, none of us should speak about it in the public so I will refrain from speaking about that for now.”
