by B. Roach
Members of Montserrat Bar Assoc. in this Opening of Law Year photo
The Montserrat Bar Association, following its revival coming almost immediately after the OECS Bar Association Meeting held in Montserrat in March 2013, sprang into action and in April held elections.
The following members were elected to serve as Officers of the Montserrat Bar Association for the next two (2) years:
President: Chivone Gerald (private bar)
Vice President: Oris Sullivan (public bar)
Secretary: Marcelle Watts (private bar)
Treasurer: Sheree Jemmotte-Rodney (public bar)
Ordinary Members: Kharl Markham (private bar)
Kenroy Hyman (public bar)
They made a commitment to host Law Week annually where members of the Bar would be engaged in, inter alia, community outreach activities, continued and professional development. It is expected that Law Week would be held annually to coincide with the Opening of the Law Year in September.
Pres. Gerald hands over dontation to Nurse Brenda Daley witnessed by Bar members Watts, Jemmotte-Rodney and Nurse Stanley
The Association in holding the first Law Week, following a misunderstanding of media coverage in Montserrat, provided the following which is part of a press release on the activities covering the Law Week.
“The Montserrat Bar Association held its first Law Week during the week of the 27th January, 2014, as part of its objectives, in line with its motto, “Serving Community and Law”.
In an effort however, to make the general public aware of the existence of the local Bar, the Association held a series of activities during the week.
The week commenced with Attorneys and His Lordship Justice Albert Redhead worshipping at the St James Anglican Church.
The Attorneys were further engaged in a Continuing Professional Development Seminar on Thursday 30th January, 2014 with the Honourable Justice Albert Redhead.
It was brought to the Associations’ attention that the Margetson Memorial Home was desirous of obtaining bath chairs for the residents of the Home. The Executive of the Bar Association attended the home on Friday 31st January, 2014 at about 3pm, where a cheque was handed over to the Management of the Home to assist with the purchase of these chairs. Members of the Association collectively donated monetary contributions towards the purchase of chairs.
On Saturday the 1st February, at 8am to 9am a radio panel discussion on ZJB, on Rose’s Cultural show was held, to discuss the prevalent topic of Legal Aid. The panel speakers were made up of Members of the Association; namely Oris Sullivan representative of the public bar and Mr. Jean Kelsick and Ms. Chivone Gerald as representatives of the private bar.
The mission of the Montserrat Bar Association is to be a transformative force in the delivery of legal services to all applicable stakeholders – local and otherwise. Proactive measures will be taken to increase the visibility, value, and accessibility of legal services to the general public. Through continued interaction with individuals in the varied categories and levels of the legal profession, the Association will seek to bring to the fore as well as address any longstanding or emergent issues related to law and its practice on Montserrat.
The Montserrat Bar Association is also pleased to announce the launch of its website at www.montserratbar.com. The website offers quick and easy access to essential information about the mission, objectives, purpose, and membership of the Montserrat Bar Association.”
In the midst of these activities various announcements have come from members of the Asssociation, especially on the matter of Legal Aid.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Oris Sullivan believes legal aid should be provided to individuals at their first point of contact with the Police.
Sullivan says, “the person suspected, will have the advice of the solicitor who will advise them…some people really don’t know at the initial stage – they would go on to do things that are contrary to their own interest…”
He said that the position is now different in the UK. “When you are arrested or when you are brought into the police station for any reason you are afforded a solicitor immediately,” he said.
On the issue that featured during the opening of the Law Year last year, he said, this “is really my vision for Legal Aid on Montserrat,” adding, “it is a matter certainly we will need to discuss with our funding agencies at this point, bearing in mind our financial position in Montserrat.”
Photo Shivonne Gerald – and the law year pic of the law year group: “some members of the Bar Association in the this 2013-14 law year group in Montserrat”
