00:00In a strongly worded release, the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, led by President Lynette
00:06Sibaran-Sweet, reaffirmed its commitment to act independently on matters concerning the
00:12administration of justice. The association said it has a statutory responsibility to speak on
00:17issues that impact the rule of law, and it does so in accordance with the highest traditions of
00:24the legal profession. Sibaran-Sweet says, quote, public disclosure on legal and constitutional
00:30matters, particularly among holders in high office, should be conducted with mutual respect and regard
00:37for the institutions that safeguard our democracy, end quote. The association also emphasized that
00:44constructive engagement between all branches of the state is vital to maintaining public trust
00:50in democratic institutions. She says, quote, the association remains undeterred in carrying out
00:57its mandate and will continue to serve the public interest by providing fair and principled guidance
01:03on issues affecting the rule of law, end quote. The Prime Minister's comments came after the Law
01:08Association issued a statement regarding the recent judicial appointment of Chief Justice Ronny
01:14Budu Singh, sparking public debate about the separation of powers and the independence of
01:20the judiciary. The law association says it will continue to engage respectfully with all arms of
01:25the state while defending the integrity of the justice system. The Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bissasa
01:31last night pushed back strongly against criticism from the Law Association regarding the appointment
01:37of Justice Ronny Budu Singh as Chief Justice. In a sharply weighted statement, Passat-Bissasa said she has,
01:44quote, no regard for the each of food filth in the hierarchy of the Law Association,
01:49describing the body as a, quote, a defiled and discredited organization, a mouthpiece for lazy, hungry-mouthed
01:58PNM senior counsels who loot the treasury, end quote. Her comments were in response to a statement from the
02:04Law Association suggesting that the appointment may have been unlawful or improper. The Prime Minister insists her position on
02:13the matter has been transparent, pointing out that her letters to the acting president made no recommendation or
02:20preference for any candidate. She also drew historical reference to the 2008 appointment of Chief Justice Ivar
02:27Archie, who she noted was appointed just one day after then-Chief Justice Sat Sharma resigned. Passat-Bissasa added that she
02:36would not be privy to any secret agreements that may have been made between the opposition leader and the
02:42president, but questioned what relevance such claims would have to the current appointment process.
02:47Justice Ronny Budu Singh's elevation to Chief Justice follows months of speculation surrounding the succession process
02:54of the Chief Justice Ivar Archie's retirement.
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