Weeks after the Law Association raised concerns.. about the PROCESS used.. to appoint Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh.., it now expresses confidence..in his ability to lead the Judiciary. And the CJ, in delivering his first public address,.. commits to collaboration... stressing that the Judiciary is only as strong as its Bar.
00:00In his first public address since assuming office, Chief Justice Rani Budasingh pledged a collaborative approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of consultation with all legal stakeholders.
00:13To commit to being a collaborative Chief Justice, I plan to listen and consult an important decision. This includes with judicial officers and stakeholders, a key one of which is the Law Association.
00:31His remarks come just three weeks after his swearing in, an appointment process which drew scrutiny and criticism from the Law Association.
00:40We may not always agree on everything, but I promise to listen and to try to work through issues as they arise and to work positively for the transformation of the judiciary.
00:54The judiciary is only as strong as the bar. It is from the bar that our members come, and it is on the bar that we depend on for support, ideas and sustenance.
01:12Meantime, the association took the opportunity at its annual dinner and awards ceremony to reflect on the value of its independence, particularly as similar bodies internationally face political pressure and, in some cases, persecution.
01:29When we consider these realities in Trinidad and Tobago, we have much to be grateful for.
01:35The criticisms we face, whilst at times sharp and personal, remain criticisms, not criminal prosecutions, not imprisonment, not state-sponsored persecution.
01:48We operate in a democracy where the rule of law, though tested, remains fundamentally intact.
01:54Our judiciary remains independent, our profession remains free to advocate, and our bar association remains autonomous.
02:04This is not a privilege to be taken lightly, but rather a democratic foundation to be vigilantly protected.
02:12The association also expressed confidence in Chief Justice Budu Singh's ability to lead the judiciary.
02:18Last but not least, it is our privilege to welcome Chief Justice Rani Budu Singh and his gracious wife Abby, who, the Chief Justice, has hit the ground running, and who has already been pleased to meet with your executive to map out joint tasks in improving the administration of justice and the working of the courts.
02:37Prime Minister Kamala Pasal Basasa recently criticized the law association, describing it as eat a food filth, after it questioned the appointment process for Budu Singh.
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