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In a landmark address at the 44th Annual Bar Dinner held on Saturday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Justice Chantal Ononaiwu, the newest appointee to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), underscored the crucial role of Guyana and the wider Caribbean legal fraternity in the development and mainstreaming of Caribbean Community Law.

Justice Ononaiwu, a renowned expert in international law, delivered her keynote speech on: ‘Towards the Mainstreaming of Caribbean Community Law in the Region’s Legal Fraternity’, her first public engagement since taking her seat at the CCJ.

Her remarks highlighted both the significant contributions Guyana has made to regional legal frameworks and the vital role Caribbean lawyers play in advancing integration and community law.

Justice Ononaiwu began by acknowledging Guyana’s strategic position in the Caribbean, noting its role as the headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat and a key player in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

With the country’s rapid economic growth, she emphasised that Guyana’s involvement in the Caribbean Court of Justice’s original jurisdiction is pivotal to shaping the region’s legal landscape.

The CCJ’s original jurisdiction, which interprets and applies the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, is central to the region’s integration efforts.

Justice Ononaiwu explained that the CCJ not only resolves disputes but also delivers advisory opinions that help shape the legal obligations of member states.

Guyana, along with 11 other CARICOM nations, has committed to this jurisdiction, and several Guyanese lawyers have argued landmark cases before the court.

Yet, despite the far-reaching implications of Community Law, she noted a concerning gap: too few lawyers across the region are sufficiently familiar with its provisions.

Justice Ononaiwu lamented that Community Law is often perceived as a niche area, reserved for specialists, rather than an essential part of every lawyer’s toolkit.

She called for a concerted effort to mainstream this area of law across the Caribbean legal profession, urging the region’s legal education system to provide more comprehensive and mandatory exposure to CARICOM law.

Her address highlighted the importance of educating lawyers not only on the institutional frameworks of CARICOM but also on the substantive rules governing the CSME, including the free movement of goods, services, and people across CARICOM states.

Lawyers, she stressed, must be equipped to advise clients—whether businesses or individuals—on their rights and obligations under Community Law, and on how to initiate or defend cases before the CCJ.

Bar Council Member, Mr. Keoma Griffith welcomes Her Honour, Madam Justice Chantal Ononaiwu on her arrival at the Eugene Correia Airport – November 8, 2024.

The judge also raised concerns about the insufficient awareness of the legal mechanisms at play. While the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas has the force of law in Guyana, with provisions that supersede domestic law in cases of inconsistency, too few lawyers recognise its relevance in everyday legal practice.

She proposed that law schools across the Caribbean introduce mandatory courses on Community Law, ensuring that every law graduate is familiar with its principles and procedures.

Justice Ononaiwu stressed that lawyers have a critical role in ensuring the success of CARICOM’s legal framework. By providing counsel to individuals, businesses, and governments, lawyers help enforce rights under the CSME and ensure that Community Law is fully integrated into national legal systems.

She also spoke about the pivotal role of lawyers in the CCJ’s process, particularly in referring cases of Community Law from national courts. In her speech, she cited the case of Hadith v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, in which Justice Worrell highlighted the value of referrals by national courts to the CCJ.

She suggested that lawyers can facilitate these referrals by advising national courts on the need to seek the CCJ’s expertise, particularly when there are questions of treaty interpretation.

To address the gaps in legal education, Justice Ononaiwu made three key proposals.

First, she advocated for the inclusion of Community Law as a compulsory component of legal education across the Caribbean, so that law students gain a deeper understanding of the CSME and its implications.

Second, she called for more sustained and accessible continuing legal education opportunities for attorneys and judges, particularly in the area of CARICOM law.

Finally, she suggested that decisions from CARICOM’s various organs, such as the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), should be made more publicly accessible, ensuring that citizens and legal professionals alike can better understand their rights and obligations under the Revised Treaty.

Justice Ononaiwu concluded by urging her fellow legal professionals to work together to ensure the full integration of Community Law into the region’s legal systems. By mainstreaming this body of law, she argued, the Caribbean could strengthen its legal infrastructure, enhance regional cooperation, and create a more integrated, prosperous Caribbean community.

The Bar Association of Guyana, in hosting the 44th Annual Bar Dinner, provided a timely platform for this critical discussion. (By Kurt Campbell) 

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The annual Bar Dinner, held on Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, was a momentous occasion for the Bar Association of Guyana.

This year’s event, attended by legal professionals, members of the judiciary, and distinguished guests, was an opportunity for Kamal Ramkarran, the Association’s president, to reflect on the transformative journey the Bar has undergone since 2017.

Under his leadership, and those who came before him, including Pauline Chase and Teni Housty, the Bar Association has moved from a period of silence and inactivity to a more engaged, proactive, and responsive organization that has redefined its role in supporting both the legal community and the public.

In his remarks, Ramkarran highlighted the importance of unity within the legal profession, describing the Bar Association as a “fraternity” akin to a family.

He emphasized that, like any family, the strength of the Bar Association lies in its ability to come together, share experiences, and address challenges collectively.

Ramkarran did not shy away from acknowledging the challenges the Bar Association faced before 2017 and spanning as far back as the 1990s. He candidly spoke about a time when the Association was largely silent on important issues, contributing little to the dialogue surrounding the country’s legal landscape.

For many years, members of the legal profession, including Ramkarran himself, were critical of the Bar for its perceived lack of effectiveness and engagement.

However, that changed dramatically in May 2017, when a group of lawyers, including Senior Counsel Robin Toby, came together to revitalise the Bar Association.

The group sought to revitalize the Bar Association, shifting it from a passive entity to an active advocate for both lawyers and the rule of law.

Ramkarran reflected on the early stages of this transformation, sharing a conversation with Sir Dennis Byron, former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, who challenged him to take action rather than merely complain.

This prompted a shift in mindset, leading to the group’s decision to step up and make a change. Ramkarran’s leadership currently has been marked by an unwavering commitment to reform and advocacy.

A key aspect of the Bar Association’s rebranding has been its proactive engagement with both the judiciary and the government. Ramkarran spoke of the regular meetings with the judiciary, including the Chancellor, Chief Justice, and the registrars of the Supreme Court, to address issues affecting legal practitioners.

These discussions have been frank and productive, he said, with concerns raised by the Bar being taken seriously and often acted upon.

One notable example of the Bar’s advocacy was its involvement in challenging an unlawful decision by the Georgetown City Council, which had been charging a percentage of a property’s value for the issuance of a certificate confirming that rates and taxes had been paid.

The Bar Association successfully brought public interest litigation on the matter, and the policy was overturned. This case was just one example of the Bar Association’s growing role in protecting not only the interests of lawyers but also the rights of the public.

Ramkarran also emphasized the Association’s role in examining and commenting on new legislation, highlighting the importance of ensuring that laws passed by the government align with the principles of justice and fairness.

The Bar’s Legislative Committee has become an essential forum for scrutinizing proposed laws and ensuring that the voice of the legal community is heard in the legislative process.

The Bar Association has also become a vocal advocate for human rights. Ramkarran recalled the Bar’s public protest against the detention of a fellow lawyer by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), noting that the Bar’s involvement in such matters sends a strong message that the legal profession will not stand by when its members are unjustly targeted.

Another key area where the Bar has stepped up its role is in providing a platform for dialogue among lawyers, regardless of whether they are members of the Association.

Ramkarran stressed the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that all legal professionals are part of the ongoing conversation about the profession’s future. Whether it’s through special meetings or informal gatherings, the Bar has worked to create spaces for members to share experiences, concerns, and solutions.

Ramkarran also focused on the importance of engaging young lawyers, 41 of them admitted to the Bar in the last two months.

He acknowledged that the Bar Association’s previous failure to connect with young professionals had been a shortcoming. However, through personal outreach efforts, Ramkarran and his team have worked tirelessly to invite young lawyers into the fold, encouraging them to take an active role in the Association’s activities.

Ramkarran also spoke to the challenges that women face in the legal profession. Despite the increasing number of women entering the field, he noted that women still face significant hurdles in achieving success.

He highlighted the accomplishments of female legal professionals, such as Chancellor Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice Roxane George, and expressed admiration for their ability to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness in a male-dominated profession.

As the evening concluded, the words of the Bar president resonated with many: “We must meet often and talk often. Share our stories. We are a family. And together, we will make a difference.” (By: Kurt Campbell) 

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In a significant step towards agricultural modernization and food security in Guyana, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, commissioned a new Model Farm today at Tarlogie, East Berbice Corentyne.

The new facility, developed at an estimated cost of $14 million, received funding through the Ministry’s Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADP) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank.

The Tarlogie Model Farm is the fourth of its kind in the country and marks the second facility established in Berbice.

Minister Mustapha highlighted the Ministry’s ambitious goal of establishing a model farm in each region, underscoring the role of these farms as pivotal in reshaping agriculture through innovation, research, and development.

“The aim of these farms,” Minister Mustapha noted is not just about production, but about embracing sustainable and modernized practices that elevate the sector’s status, attracting new generations.

In his address, Minister Mustapha challenged common stereotypes about agriculture, particularly those held by the youth, who often view farming as a low-status or unskilled profession.

Emphasizing that agriculture is the backbone of the nation’s economy, he argued that agriculture is not just a job for the uneducated or a labor-intensive pursuit with limited economic value, as often portrayed.

He pointed to the role that the sector plays in national food security, stating that without agriculture, achieving stable food supplies would be impossible.

Mustapha referenced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when countries worldwide faced food shortages, affecting even financially stable nations.

The crisis highlighted the need for countries to prioritize local food production to avoid dependency on imports during emergencies. As the Minister noted, “In Guyana, we are producing 60% of the food we are consuming…over the last four years we have seen agriculture become one of the moat attractive sector in our country…”.

Minister Mustapha pointed to CARICOM’s regional efforts to reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025 as evidence of agriculture’s growing importance.

“All 15 CARICOM member states and the five associated states are working to reduce the food import bill by 25%…” he remarked, stressing that tremendous strides are being made across the region to enhance local food production and resilience.

The newly commissioned Model Farm in Tarlogie will serve as a hub for sustainable agricultural practices, including research into modern farming techniques, soil health, and climate-smart practices. By showcasing innovation and efficiency, the farm aims to attract new farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly young people, to see agriculture as a dynamic and profitable career path.

“With farms like these, what we are doing here now, in the history of the country, we never had these farms so that we can enlighten our young people, where our young people can have a different perception of Agriculture and the perception they have now, we want to change that, we want to ensure that we make agriculture more modern, more resilient so that they can embrace agriculture…”, Minister Mustapha said.

Ultimately, Minister Mustapha’s vision for the Tarlogie Model Farm aligns with Guyana’s broader national goals of sustainable economic growth, food security, and rural development. In his concluding remarks, he noted that more and more young people are getting involved in agriculture and also mentioned that at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara some 54 shade houses were established with the program expanding rapidly already across the country. He urged persons and students to make full use of the Model farm.

The Tarlogie Model Farm includes a small ruminants pen, swine pens, composting house, Black Giant Pen, shadehouses, Vermicomposting huts and more.

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On Friday, Calvin Brutus and his wife, Adonika Aulder, withdrew and discontinued yet another High Court action which they filed on the 19th of August, 2024, against the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General.

In these proceedings, Mr. Brutus and his wife sought a number of Orders, including, an Order to set aside or recall the Order of Court, earlier granted, freezing their bank accounts.

The  Application to withdraw and discontinue the proceedings was made orally when the matter was called yesterday by the Attorney-at-Law appearing for Mr. Brutus and his wife.

This is the second set of proceedings filed and later withdrawn by Mr. Brutus and his wife.

Another High Court proceeding which was filed seeking permission for these two persons to leave the jurisdiction, allegedly for medical attention for Ms. Aulder was heard by Justice Gino Persaud, who, after hearing arguments from lawyers appearing for the Attorney General’s Chambers, dismissed the Application and ordered the Applicants to pay $250,000 each to the Respondents, namely, the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police and SOCU within six weeks from the date of the Order.

To date, these costs have not been paid.

Upon the expiration of the six weeks, if these costs remain unpaid, the requisite legal steps will be taken to recover the same.

(Press release from Attorney General’s Chambers)

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Championship leader Vishok Persaud is in pole position after clocking the unofficial fastest lap time of 1:16.084s in Group 4 (2WD) in qualifying at the ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions on Saturday at the South Dakota Circuit.

The lap record, which Persaud currently holds at 1:16.691s, can only be broken during an official race (excluding qualifying and practice).

Powering his KTM X-BOW, Persaud will start top of the grid on Sunday, but Quinlan Lall of the USA has emerged as a strong contender, clocking the second best time of 1:17.157s with his Mazda RX-7.

Hear from the drivers below 

“We just tried to put together a quick lap to make sure we’re in front. I think we’re going to have a good run (on Sunday),” Persaud remarked after qualifying.

Lall said: “Vishok is definitely generating his lap time in a different way to us- we have a lot more horsepower, but he’s got a lot more grip. It’s going to be a cat and mouse game between who can get to Turn One first and then I think that will be a really big factor in whose able to win the race.”

Mohan Rangasammy (Mazda RX-7/1:20.663s), Danny Persaud (Lotus Exige/1:22.958s) and Harold Hopkinson (Lotus Exige/1:36.369s) close out the Group 4 (2WD) grid in that order.

In the Group 4 (4WD), Denzel Hopkinson had a best lap time of 1:18.869s, with Andrew King clocking 1:19.019s.

New track record 

Danny Persaud, Stefan Jeffrey square off in Group 3 

Hear from Danny Persaud below  

Azaad Hassan on pole in Sports Tuner/1600cc Class

P1 for Steven Nobrega in Starlet Cup 

‘Speed Queen’s Sharima Khan is back! 

Hear from Sharima Khan- Monarat below 

In Group 2, Rameez Mohamed (1:25.176s) will start on pole, with Shan Seejatan (1:25.844s) and Neil Persaud (1:26.650s) in P2 and P3 respectively, while Naresh Alves (1:34.961s) is on pole for the Street Tuner/Group 1 Class, with Raymond Seebarran (1:35.693s) in P2 and Zafiro Ramirez (1:35.728s) in P3.

Anthony Evelyn (1:25.958s) is on pole for the Rookies category. Ritesh Singh (1:30.742s) is P2 and Shariff Khan (1:33.065s) in P3.

In the CSM Spec Miata category, Justin Worthman (1:31.352s), Liam Bartlett (1:31.802s) and Michael Rostant (1:31.874s) are the top three on the grid in that order.

On Sunday, the first race will start at 10:00h, following a lap of honour by competitors at 09:30h.

See below race schedule 

 

 

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Phil Salt powered a superb century to take England to a commanding eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20 in Barbados.

After a disappointing defeat in the one-day international series, Salt struck an unbeaten 103 off 54 balls on the island he used to call home as England cruised to a pursuit of 183.

It was the opener’s third T20 hundred for England – all three of which have come against West Indies in the past 12 months.

He crashed his first 50 runs in just 25 balls as England took 73 from the first six overs for the loss of only Will Jacks for 17.

Captain Jos Buttler was sensationally caught for a golden duck on his return to the side after four months out injured but Salt continued, dropping down the gears with the required run-rate under control, as England pulled off the highest T20 chase at the Kensington Oval with 19 balls to spare.

Jacob Bethell, another with Bajan roots, finished unbeaten on 58 from 36 balls alongside Salt, in the process becoming the youngest man to hit a T20 fifty for England, aged 21.

Earlier, West Indies made their imposing total in remarkable fashion, reaching 183-9 despite falling to 18-3 and 117-8.

They managed a further 65 runs in the last 5.2 overs after the eighth wicket fell, with number 10 Gukadesh Motie, who later produced the stunning catch to dismiss Buttler, flogging 33 from 14 balls.

That came as England lost their grip despite a strong start to the innings, with Saqib Mahmood taking 4-34 and Adil Rashid 3-32.

The second of five T20s begins on Sunday at the same ground from 16:00h. (BBC)

 

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A 21-year-old man from West Coast Berbice tragically died after being electrocuted while working with an angle grinder at his home on November 6.

The victim, Claymont “Clay” Doris, was found unresponsive by his girlfriend, Carlica Craig, around 12:30 hrs in the yard of their residence at Lot 79, Lovely Lass Village.

According to Carlica, the couple had returned home from an outing around noon, and Clay immediately began working with the angle grinder on steel.

She briefly stepped out to a nearby shop, and upon her return, she discovered Clay lying on the ground with the grinder resting on his chest. Alarmed, she called for help, and her cousin, police officer Marvin McCurdy, rushed to assist, transporting Doris to Fort Wellington Public Hospital. Sadly, medical staff pronounced him dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators found the angle grinder had exposed wiring, and burn marks on the left side of Doris’s chest suggested he had been electrocuted. A post-mortem examination by Dr. V. Brijmohan confirmed that Doris died from fibrillation caused by electrocution.

Family members are now making funeral arrangements for the young man, whose tragic death has left the community in shock.

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The two men involved in a fraudulent scheme to steal millions from a Berbice jeweller were charged and brought before the court on Friday, facing serious criminal charges.

Paramdeo Victor, 37, of Rosignol, Berbice, and Cornell Taylor, 45, of Ithaca, West Berbice, were both charged with Simple Larceny, Contrary to Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 08:01.

In addition to the larceny charge, Victor was slapped with a separate charge of ‘Making a False Report,’ after he admitted to staging the robbery.

The men appeared before Magistrate Wilson at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court at 10:00 hrs, where they were not required to enter a plea. The Virtual Complainant (VC) requested no evidence be presented against the accused after receiving a partial reimbursement of the stolen funds amounting to $2.15 million.

The magistrate granted bail for both men in the sum of $150,000 each, and the matter has been adjourned to December 13, 2024. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is expected to offer legal advice on the case moving forward.

In a separate proceeding, Paramdeo Victor was fined $30,000 after pleading guilty to the charge of giving false information, under Section 200 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:02. He opted to pay the fine or face 18 months in prison.

Victor’s arrest on Wednesday followed an elaborate scheme to stage a robbery and steal millions of dollars intended for a jeweller. According to police reports, Victor falsely claimed he had been robbed by three masked gunmen while transporting $10 million from a cambio in Georgetown to a jeweller in Berbice.

Victor had initially reported the robbery to the Mahaica Police Station, telling officers that the gunmen had forced him off the road and stolen the cash. However, following an in-depth investigation and further questioning, police began to suspect that Victor’s story was fabricated.

Victor eventually admitted to staging the robbery as a way to pocket the money. He then led police officers to his vehicle, where $2 million in cash was discovered hidden inside.

The following evening, police followed Victor to his home in Rosignol, Berbice, and uncovered an additional $6 million hidden inside a washing machine. However, the remaining sum, approximately $2.25 million, is believed to be with his accomplice, Cornell Taylor, who is still at large.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC that India will not travel to Pakistan to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the BCCI told the ICC it had been advised by the Indian government not to send the team to Pakistan.

The eight-team Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played at three venues in Pakistan between February 19 and March 9, but this development means the ICC and the PCB will need to activate a contingency plan, likely involving a hybrid model where teams will shuttle between Pakistan and a second venue.

That will not be straightforward as on Friday, the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had ruled out using a hybrid model – or even that any discussion of it had taken place.

But ESPNcricinfo understands that various contingency plans had been chalked out some months ago in case the hybrid model was adopted.

While there are a few countries shortlisted, it is understood the UAE, due to its proximity to Pakistan, is likely to be the frontrunner. Sri Lanka, too, is on the shortlist.

The ICC was informed of the BCCI stance earlier this week, though it could not be confirmed whether the BCCI had orally communicated its decision.

It is possible the ICC is looking for written communication before it can relay that to the PCB.

Naqvi had insisted on Friday that the PCB would need “in writing” any objections the BCCI had and if so, then he would need to discuss it with his government before any final decision was taken.

ESPNcricinfo has sought responses from the ICC, the PCB and the BCCI on the developments.

Naqvi’s stance on Friday was notably more unequivocal than it has been on the issue, insisting the PCB was not “prepared to accept” the hybrid model.

He referred to “great gestures” the PCB had made previously, in the team travelling to India to play in the ODI World Cup in 2023, despite India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the preceding Asia Cup.

That tournament eventually adopted a hybrid model, with the latter stages played in Sri Lanka.

He also made clear that any future travel to India by Pakistan would not be a given and would be a government decision.

The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams, with two groups of four followed by semi-finals and a final.

The competing teams are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.

Monday, November 11, will mark 100 days until the start of the event, although the schedule and ticketing details are yet to be announced.

ESPNcricinfo has also been told that a schedule-announcement event in Lahore next week is likely to be postponed because of these developments.

As a result of fraught political ties between the two countries, India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup despite the latter playing several ICC events in India including the 2023 World Cup.

The sides have played just one bilateral series since then, a white-ball tour Pakistan made in 2012-13. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

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