Is the University of Guyana Law (LL.B) Programme in danger of losing its accreditation?

Jul 23, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I write this letter with a sad heart; but I feel that if I don’t I may be guilty of not doing my utmost to ensure that a programme which I love, a programme which I and many others, such as the like of the late great Professor J.O.F. Haynes and many other legal stalwarts and luminaries, gave, as it were, their intellectual blood and sweat for, is not relegated to the dustbin of non-recognition.
If I don’t take the step I am taking now, I am quite sure that I will hear the haunting voice of the late great former Chancellor, who was, also, a pre-eminently distinguished jurist, gently chiding me from the grave with the words, “And young Eversley what did you do?” He and I joined the then Department of Political Science and Law in late 1981 – he as a law professor and I as a young law lecturer.
He had just retired as Chancellor and I had just transferred from the Attorney-General’s Chambers after serving my internship under the tutelage of another great legal luminary, Dr. Mohammed Shahabudeen.
Would you believe it, when I first arrived at UG, the great man (Professor Haynes) and I shared the same office. Such was the humility of the man! Such was the state of the offices of the University of Guyana! What a great honour that was for me. I had an in-house tutor, as it were, who could give the great Lord Denning ‘a run for his money and then some’.
It was through his mentorship that I began to develop a deep love for the law. I thank God for the rich heritage of such great sons of Guyana.
I would like to expand further by giving another piece of background information.
Do you know that very few programmes of UG have credible international or regional recognition? The law programme is one of them. And here is the point of this letter. This is intended as a public warning to the UG Council, Vice-Chancellor and Registrar that if they fail to follow my written recommendations which I gave to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar in September, 2010, after I had just assumed office from another official, to properly correct many breaches in the admissions process, they will seriously jeopardize the accreditation and status of equivalency of the UG LL.B Degree.
The Registrar and the Vice-Chancellor had proposed to create an illegal category called ‘provisional registration’. I don’t know if they had ever received any other legal advice, other than mine, on this issue; but in the interest of transparency they ought to let the general University community and the public know whether they sought and received competent and independent legal advice, and if so, what was the substance of this advice?
If they did not seek independent legal advice, then they must explain why not?
Is it that the opinion of the Registrar on this matter, which was conveyed to me in writing and which determined issues of third-party (students’) rights was intended as legal advice?
The Vice-Chancellor certainly felt himself bound to follow the Registrar’s advice, as he later wrote to me. I am at a loss to understand on what legal basis the Vice-Chancellor had assumed this, since he has the legal responsibility to determine that issue and not the Registrar.
It is my firm belief that this entire shameful fiasco occurred because we departed from our basic rule of eligibility that the head of the UG law programme must be a professor or senior lecturer, and one who is professionally qualified to practice law in Guyana.
I know this for a fact, because I personally drafted the rules upon which the Department of law was established and approved by the Academic Board. Moreover, the uncontroverted practice since 1997, when the Department was established, up until 2009 was in strict compliance with this rule.
The very first Coordinator of the law programme, in 1981, was Professor J.O.F. Haynes. No one has to question his eligibility – it is self-evident.
I am sure that he will be turning in his grave to have to witness this tragic situation. I hereby call on the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar to redress this situation immediately or resign!!!
Professor Calvin Eversley
Head, UG Law Department

4 thoughts on “Is the University of Guyana Law (LL.B) Programme in danger of losing its accreditation?”

Joseph Ragnauth July 23, 2011 at 12:25 pm

I hope the University of Guyana will keep its accreditation in the LLB Programme. Producing law students and lawyers are integral components of Nation Building.
Myself a law school drop out in England in the late 70’s would have seized the opportunity to seek the UG LLB during that fiasco of life. I studied the Intermediate LLB from the University of London at a private institution in the environment of the Inns of Courts……the various temples,where some famous Guyanese lawyers were trained, including Guyana,s famous orator,Forbes Burnham whose name was prominent among students and scholars. I succumb to immigration policy and had to leave and never continue. Finance! It is expensive and almost impossible to finance onself in another country to attain these degrees. Professor Calvin Eversley concern about the UG LLB should be given serious consideration to ensure the integrity and standard of this degree.
Best wishes to the Professor.
Joseph Ragnauth.
Winslow Padmore July 24, 2011 at 12:51 pm

I were privileged as a young Police detective to stand before the renowned,late,Legal expert ,JOF Haynes ,to give evidence in the High Court of Guyana and in Chambers he was always approachable and would encourage many young Policemen,with that aptitude,to pursue,legal studies at UG.myself and several others started studies leading up to the Law program..well I dropped out for personal reasons,but that program equipped many Senior Officers of the Police, Military and Customs in operating their Departments proficiently and with respect. .Prof.Calvin Eversley’s concerns outlined,should be taken seriously and needs immediate address.There seem to be an in-house wrangling,verged on political influence and favoritism,which need to cease now and follow the original established Rules,,for the prominence of the Law Faculty of the University of Guyana.
wallyknowll July 25, 2011 at 2:32 am

I hope the UG LLB program continues and is recognized. Take it from me a Canadian citizen. Guyanese are very fortunate to have such a program.
wallyknowll July 25, 2011 at 2:35 am

I hope the UG LLB program is recognized and that it continues. Take from me an American citizen. Guyanese are very fortunate to have such a program.