Law Association president Seenath Jairam, SC, is going up against Reginald Armour, SC, and is seeking re-election to the post when the association’s elections are held on March 20. The notice of the association’s election was issued yesterday. It will be held at the Convocation Hall of the Hall of Justice. The notice confirmed posts unopposed are vice-president (Gerry Brooks) and treasurer (Lydia Mendonca).
The meeting will also confirm several people elected as ordinary members of the association’s council and to invite nominations from the floor and elect one further senior ordinary member. Those elected are Ronnie Bissessar, Ravi Heffes-Doon, Soraya Nanan, Joan Byrne, Nadine Nabbie, Lynette Seebaran-Suite, Hyacinth Griffith, Lesley-Ann Lucky Samaroo and Natasha Lamy-Ramsden.
Attendees are also expected to confirm as elected junior ordinary members of council Shankar Bidaisee, Trevor Clarke, Cindy F Daniel, Robert Vincent Charles, Kirk Bengochea, who are all unopposed. Members will cast ballots at the San Fernando High Court and Scarborough High Court. The association stated lawyers can tune in to discussions at the annual general meeting via video conferencing but will be unable to contribute to the discussions at the Hall of Justice due to one way audio-visual communication.
The council recently came under fire from members following the release of a statement in January calling for then attorney general Anand Ramlogan to resign following witness-tampering allegations by Police Complaints Authority Director David West. Subsequently Ramlogan resigned on February 3. Former association secretary Donna Prowell had criticised the association’s executive for not consulting members.
Attorney Wayne Sturge said he had received signatures of 25 members, which would have allowed for a special meeting to discuss the matter. That was put on hold. Sturge said members may wait until a new executive was installed to deal with the West issue.
ON AGENDA
The upcoming meeting will also consider the report of the association’s committee to consider elevation of Senior Counsel. On the agenda as well is a resolution calling for immediate repeal of Section 4 of the Finance Act (2015) which increased the limit of the Petty Civil Court from $15,000 to $50,000.