PM DISMISSES LAW ASSOCIATION'S CRITICISM OVER CJ

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The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago has responded to recent remarks made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessear following the Association's statement on the appointment of the new Chief Justice. LATT says it will continue to uphold its duty to comment on issues affecting justice and the rule of law — independently and without fear or favour.

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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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