OECS moves to standardise conferment of silk and professionalise Bars

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 17TH 2010 (CUOPM) – Efforts are ongoing to professionalise Bar Associations and standardise the conferment of silk in the Eastern.
 
Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court His Lordship Mr. Hugh Rawlins said the Court has recognized the need to regularise the procedure and requirements for the conferment of the rank of Queen’s Counsel/Senior Counsel in an effort to bring some degree of standardisation and certainty to the process.
 
He said recently that the initiative was supported by the Heads of Government of the OECS, as well as from the OECS and constituent Bars across the region.
 
Chief Justice Rawlins said the draft protocol was subjected to very helpful deliberations at a consultation in St. Lucia in June 2010, which was attended by Judges, Attorneys General and legal practitioners from across the sub-region. 
 
The final formulation of the protocol was adopted with its guidelines and forms.
 
“The Heads of OECS Governments at their 51st Authority Meeting in St. Lucia approved them.  We shall now establish the date by which these procedures will come into effect and commence the processing of applications in the manner agreed at the consultation.
 
“The appointment of Queen’s and Senior Counsel will be done biennially. Applications will be considered by a selection committee of five members, who will be appointed by the Chief Justice.  The committee will recommend persons for appointment.  This will be passed to the Chief Justice who, after consultation with the judges of the Court of Appeal, will refer the selected applicants to the appropriate Head of State of the Member State or Territory recommending appointment,” disclosed Chief Justice Rawlins.
 
On the issue of Professionalisation of the Bar, Chief Justice Rawlins noted he spoke at length on the issue last year in Dominica.
 
“Among other things, I encouraged all of our countries to enact Legal Profession Acts.  I also informed that we were in the process of finalizing the Disciplinary Proceedings Rules which will support the Legal Profession Acts of St. Lucia and other countries by revised versions.
 
“During the past year Mrs. Georgis Taylor-Alexander assisted us to conduct consultations with the members of the St. Lucia Bar Association and other stakeholders on Draft Rules, which were prior, circulated for comments.  Her recommendations have assisted in the preparation of a revised draft of the Rules, which will be promulgated shortly,” Chief Justice Rawlins disclosed.
 
On the issue of Legal Aid, Chief Justice Rawlins noted a Legal Aid clinic was established in St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
“Legal Aid has occupied our thoughts, particularly upon the insistence of Ms. Josie Laurent, who is involved in this process in Antigua and Barbuda.  Chief Justices before me encouraged Bar Associations to assist with the establishment of Legal Aid Clinics for the benefit of those in our societies who need that service.  I hereby record the need to consider the institution of these clinics in our communities,” said the Nevisian-born jurist.