Attorney General Garvin Nicholas expects to receive a report from his division’s Permanent Secretary by tomorrow or Wednesday on the issue concerning lawyers’ fees accrued during the reign of his predecessor Anand Ramlogan. Nicholas briefly confirmed this yesterday, following an article in yesterday’s Sunday Guardian in which lawyers disputed the figures for work they did which were recently released in Parliament.
The figures, given in the written reply to the Opposition (a question filed by PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley in Parliament) totalled about $350 million in fees paid since 2010. Last week, Communication Minister Vasant Bharath also said the information given was wrong, as figures weren’t accurate. He said it appeared some had been listed twice, making the actual total less. He said he had been contacted by some lawyers who said they were exploring their legal options. Several lawyers also complained about having legal fees made public.
Yesterday, Nicholas said the statement on fees had been presented to the Opposition and admitted some lawyers are now saying there had been duplication of figures given. He said, “I asked the PS to go through the statement’s details with the ministry’s accounts staff to find out if there are any duplications and I expect a report on this by Tuesday or Wednesday.
“The Government was asked by the Opposition for the information and it was provided to the Opposition, but we were not responsible for its wide circulation, including to the media. “One has to note that the administration seeks to get value for money and there are significant matters done by the PP administration, therefore complexity of issues will also determine fees.”