BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE list of Queen’s Counsels within the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis has been recently extended with the appointment of three Barristers-at-Law, one Kittitian and two Nevisians, to that that level.
While word circulated for some time prior, the official announcement was made via a press release emanating from the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) last evening (July 24).
It names the appointed individuals as John Emile Ferdinand, Dr. Henry Leonard O’Grenville Stogumber Browne and Theodore Luther Hobson, the former of St. Kitts and the latter two of Nevis.
According to the wording of the release, following “a process which was guided by a Protocol dated 26th November 2010”, a recommendation was forwarded by the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court – Sir Hugh Rawlins of Nevis – that these three men be appointed as “Her Majesty’s Counsel to His Excellency the Governor General Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian”.
It further explained that His Excellency the Governor General affixed his signature to the “appropriate Letters Patent” officially appointing the three, after an undertaking “not to perform any of the functions, which in England are performed by a Solicitor and are not performed by a Barrister-at-Law” was obtained from them.
Hobson, who was admitted to practice in the Federation in 1963, expressed his emotions on his appointment to this publication.
“I am happy with the appointment. It is the highest accolade which could be given to any Barrister-at-Law. So to that extent, I am extremely proud and grateful for those who have supported me over the years. I continue to serve the people of this country and will do so in the future.”
Admitted to practice in 1983, Ferdinand told SKNVibes that he counts the appointment a blessing.
“I am blessed and honoured to receive the award of Queen’s Counsel. I congratulate my colleagues Dr. Browne and Mr. Hobson who also received the awards. It is an honour to be in the company of individuals from St. Kitts and Nevis who have gotten the award from before…”
Numerous attempts were made to contact Dr. Browne but they were unfruitful.
These three join the likes of President of the OECS Bar Association Tapley Seaton QC, His Excellency Delano Bart QC, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association Charles Wilkin QC – who are engaged in active practice within the Federation - as well as Frederick Kelsick and Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore of blessed memory.
SKNVibes takes the opportunity to extend congratulations to Dr. Henry Browne QC, Emile Ferdinand QC and Theodore Hobson QC on their appointment.
