00:00Senior counsel Avery Sinanon says the controversy points to a problem of institutional attitude rather than competence or transparency.
00:11He says the developments could also strengthen the case for Trinidad and Tobago reconsidering its full accession to the CCJ.
00:20It is an attitudinal problem. It is not a problem of competency in O'Marlon.
00:25Our judges in the region are quite competent. They could hold their own with any judge throughout the Commonwealth and
00:33even America or civil law countries.
00:37It is an attitudinal problem that is likely to continue during the currency of his presidency if he continues as
00:44president.
00:46And it is clear that respect for him as the chief or leader of the CCJ has been lost.
00:58Sinanon SC tells the Morning Edition accountability must follow but believes any action against the CCJ's leadership should be grounded
01:09in a proper investigation.
01:10In the meantime, he says, steps are necessary to preserve confidence in the court's proceedings.
01:17In the situation as it stands, maybe it would be the best thing to enhance the integrity of the institution
01:24for him not to sit and adjudicate on matters.
01:28Until that investigation is concluded, its findings are made and conclusions are made public.
01:33He also cautions against undervaluing the expertise within the region, saying Caribbean institutions must have confidence in their own legal
01:42minds and structures.
01:44You see, we still suffer from the colonial hangover of what comes from abroad is better.
01:53And we have to get rid of that.
01:56And the CCJ has been doing a job in that respect on the former leaders of the CCJ.
02:04It has been doing some of that in that regard.
02:08But despite the controversy, Sinanon SC says the objective should not be to dismantle the CCJ, but to find a
02:16credible and lasting resolution.
02:19I really hope that it is not a situation where the CCJ disintegrates and you have a spate of resignations
02:29of judges and so on.
02:31And I trust that the regional JLSE will move expeditiously to investigate this matter, make their findings and conclusions public,
02:43so that the public could be reassured.
02:48Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
Comments