LAW SCHOOL IN GUYANA

Jan 08, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,
During the past couple of weeks the legal fraternity dominated the news with the candidature of Guyanese jurist, Kenneth Benjamin, to be appointed Chancellor of the Judiciary. There were discussions about the pros and cons of his appointment since he was out of the country for nearly three decades and that the persons who are acting as Head of the Judiciary and the No.2 spot as Chief Justice should be confirmed.
However there are strong arguments that Benjamin who is the current Chief Justice of Belize is far more experienced and qualified than the two females.
Then a few days ago four persons were named to be elevated for silk and no Berbician was nominated. One of the leading lawyers in the country, Berbician, Murseline “Muchoo” Bacchus was overlooked. I am not certain how many lawyers are in the country, but I am quite sure that there are enough to serve the population. What is needed are honest and reliable practitioners.
This brought me to the question if there is need for a law school in the country. Last year January there were press reports that Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, signed an MOU … Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Caribbean (UCC) and Law College of the Americas for the establishment of a law school in Guyana.
It was even named the JOF Haynes Law School, but so far nothing has materialized. The AG said that Guyana received permission from the Council of Legal Education two decades ago and noted that the law school was needed in Guyana because it would be much cheaper for local students and even regional would-be lawyers.
He pointed out that there are hundreds of LLB holders who cannot enter the Norman Manley Law School (NWLS) in Jamaica, the Hugh Wooding Law School in St. Augustine Trinidad or the Eugene Dupuch Law school in the Bahamas.
Williams also journeyed to Jamaica to discuss the establishment of the law school.
I know for a fact that there are scores of LLB holders from Belize, and Jamaica who cannot gain entry to the Norman Manley Law School because it is overcrowded. Belizians will have to pass an entry examination because it is a requirement under the CARICOM agreement. However Jamaicans are now taking steps to have a second law school under the University of Technology (UTech).
A Motion was recently tabled in the House of Representative seeking a mandate from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for its establishment.
Professor Stephen Vascianne when he served as Principal of the NMLS seven years ago had negotiated to have double shift at the law school in order to facilitate the hundreds of students who could not gain entry.
I think that it is a good move for Jamaica to have a second law school to accommodate LLB holders not only from Jamaica, but Belize, Cayman Islands and other nearby countries. Vascianne now heads UTech.
West Indian-trained lawyers have taken over not only the judiciary in the region, but also hold top positions including Governor Generals and Prime Ministers. The latest appointment is Sandra Mason, the new Governor General of Barbados.
Dame Mason was in the first batch of law students to be trained in the Caribbean.
Oscar Ramjeet

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