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WHO PAYS FOR CARL SINGH, JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE, AND WHAT DOES HE DO?
Dear Editor
I read with concern, bewilderment and amusement that former acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, is currently a “Jurist-in-Residence at the University of Guyana.” In accordance with the dictates of public interest, government transparency and citizens’ and taxpayers’ rights to know, I respectfully ask the following questions, with all due respect to Judge Singh and all those concerned:
(1) How, when and why was this position created, or was patronage a consideration?
(2) Who pays for the salary and/or expenses for this office, is it of a permanent nature, or was it created as a pension and retirement fund exclusively for Mr. Carl Singh, more popularly referred to as a “sweetheart deal?”
(3) Was this position ever afforded to more accomplished predecessors, like confirmed past Chancellors Massiah, JOF Haynes, Crane, Luckhoo and others of more worthy ilk?
(4) Was there an open system where other more qualified jurists, like former acting CJ Ian Chang, AGs Charles Ramson, Bernard DeSantos and others, including ex patriates, were allowed to submit applications for consideration, or was this a secret, partisan and privileged position given only to the present holder, despite the public nature of this portfolio?
(5) What guarantees have been implemented so that any undue influence, caprice, whim or bias does not prejudice or permeate to the present Judges and Magistrates, who were until very recently under the jurisdiction and supervision of Chancellor (Ag.) Singh?
(6) Has Mr. Singh’s track record been evaluated, scrutinized and considered that he actually heard, researched, completed and decided cases, and authored due and guiding precedents and decisions, befitting the duties of the office he held for years, or is he haplessly undeserving of such accolades?
(7) Can a less grandiose position be found where his experience can be utilized, like helping to clear up the backlogs he bears the blame for as the head functionary of the judicial system in the first place, albeit in positions like the Magistracy, Legal Aid, Traffic Court, Family or Night Court? Judge Singh knows that jurists like Keith Massiah, JOF Haynes, Stanley Hardyal, Ian Chang, George Jackman and others proudly and fearlessly continued their careers as regular members of the Bar after their lofty judicial and governmental positions had ended, with dignity and pride, content to be part of the legal system, and worth their salt to earn a worthy living.
Indeed, when deserving jurists like Lord Denning, Learned Hand, Blackstone, Mansfield, Burger, Marshall, Bhagwati, Cardozo, Holmes and others retired, there were no golden parachutes or severance packages given to them. Their legacy was their decisions.
To his credit, Judge Singh is an experienced rice farmer. He should not be allowed to shun noble labour or other endeavors in deference to hollow, ceremonial or high sounding positions. He is owed nothing by the legal profession, indeed, no one, in Guyana. All labour is dignified.
Moreover, in other Universities and Colleges, post-graduate degrees are a prerequisite before even being considered for any academic appointments. Mr. Singh does not possess such qualifications. The equivalent of a “Jurist-in-Residence” does not even exist, for no one can reasonably claim any monopoly over knowledge.
I recall Dr. Jagan warned us about the folly and foolhardiness of languishing in Mercedes Benzes and Cadillacs, when a country’s economy can only accommodate a donkey cart instead. With due respect to all, I submit this “Jurist-in-Residence” is such a contemptible example.
Ramesh Maraj
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