3 Tributes to Dame Bernice Lake Q.C
1. Tribute - On behalf of past students of the Girls’ High School:
To the past students of the Girls’ High School of St. Kitts Dame Bernice Lake QC was a dynamic force that once existed in their classrooms and passed through the halls of their revered school; she was a personality that can never be forgotten,
Even before she began to shine in the corridors of jurisprudence, she was a formidable teacher at the Girls ’ High School and at one time acted Principal in the absence of Miss Langley the principal of that era of the late fifties early sixties.
Everything about Dame Bernice, even then, was strong. She had a strong voice, a strong walk, strong opinions and an impenetrable stare.
One could sense even then that she was destined for higher heights for the strength of her presence was unmistakable and as students, we were always aware that she expected high standards from us… she never allowed us to justify our failures.
Back of her penetrating stare was a penetrating mind that enabled her to blaze a trail wherever she went; she thus became a pioneer in her many undertakings.
As an African once said in paying tribute to an elder in his community, “It us as though we have lost a library.” She represented integral aspects of the creation and evolution of modern Caribbean institutions and thought.
She experienced the colonial education of the Girls’ High School (which became the Basseterre High School after a merger with the Grammar School), the early educational strivings of the University College of the West Indies (before it became a full fledged University); she participated in the birth pains of the West Indies Federation as a diplomatic officer; went on to pursue law and was an integral part of the shaping of the Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda constitutions.
Throughout her life her oratory and her debating skills drew admiration from all, and as past students of the Girls’ High School, we pay tribute to her today and give thanks for the impression she made on our lives. May her soul be blessed.
Lorna Callender
On behalf of the Past Students of the Girls’ High School
2. Tribute By The OECS Bar Association On The Passing Of Dame Bernice Lake, Q.C.
The OECS and the wider Caribbean Community have suffered a great loss with the passing of Dame Bernice Lake, Q.C. on Saturday 10th September 2011.
It was only on July 22nd last that at the initiative of the Anguilla Bar Association, a Special Sitting of the High Court of Anguilla was convened to pay tribute to Dame Bernice on her retirement. Presiding at this Special Sitting, Justice Louise Blenman highlighted the outstanding career of Dame Bernice Lake, Q.C. as a teacher, diplomat and legal scholar. Dame Bernice was called to the Bar in St. Kitts in 1967 and practised extensively in the civil court in several jurisdictions including St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda and Anguilla and quickly earned a reputation as a bright and thorough lawyer.
On behalf of our Association, President Tapley Seaton, Q.C. characterised Dame Bernice as a Formidable Advocate, an Intellectual Giant, an Unrelenting Patriot and a Champion of the Constitution. Dame Bernice Lake was a Leader at the Bar with “an impenetrable integrity” who was renowned for her scholarship, her high ethical standards and her fearless advocacy of the causes of the ordinary man and woman who in her view were being disadvantaged in any way.
Fortunately, Dame Bernice was present at and participated fully in the Special Sitting and the Gala Dinner hosted by the Anguilla Bar Association in her honour at which the Dame Dr. Bernice Lake, Q.C. Scholarship and Award were launched.
Dame Bernice’s distinguished career and her outstanding contribution on issues of civil and political rights have carved out an indelible legacy worthy of emulation by all present and future lawyers in the OECS and wider Region.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Lake and Kentish families, other close family and friends and assure them of our prayers and kind wishes.
May her soul rest in peace
S. W. Tapley Seaton, Q.C.
President
OECS Bar Association
12th September 2011
3. Tribute by The St. Kitts Nevis Bar Association
The St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association mourns the passing of Dame Bernice Lake QC a stalwart of the legal profession in the Eastern Caribbean and the first female Queens Counsel of the sub-region. Dame Bernice was a trailblazer and role model for female lawyers in the region, a strong and passionate advocate for and defender of individual rights and freedoms and a consummate professional. Born in Anguilla, Dame Bernice attended the Girls High School in Basseterre and taught at the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammer School before she became a Barrister-at-law. She practiced law for over 40 years in Antigua and Aguilla.
In a tribute to Dame Bernice Mr. Charles Wilkin, QC President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association said "In the Independent Terrirories of the Easten Caribbean whose governance systems Professor Simeon Mcintosh refers to as "Elective Dictatorships", in which the executive and legislature are hardly separate, and the true separation of powers lies between the joint executive/legislative branches and the judiciary, it is critically important that, not only the courts but the legal profession as well, stands as strong guardians of constitutional rule and counter weights to the abuse of executive power. The profession could not have asked for a stronger personality and effective advocate than Dame Bernice in the early days of the Independence of our sub regional countries. For this service her career will be indelibly marked in our history."
