A night when PM, CJ came together

THERE certainly was no fighting between the executive and the judiciary when Chief Justice Sat Sharma hosted his reception to mark the formal opening of the new law term. Unlike the controversy when the Prime Minister announced that Parliament will be located to the block where the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Courts now exist, the Chief Justice’s party showed both men toasting to the nation and enjoying jokes.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife Hazel accepted the invitation and turned up at the reception held at the Savannah Terrace of the Hilton Trinidad on Saturday night. Even Attorney General Glenda Morean-Phillip, who was on the receiving end of the Chief Justice’s address at the law term opening earlier this month, put aside any differences and attended the function with her husband. Sir Timothy Cassel, the British Queen’s Counsel who is prosecuting in the trial of former Government Minister Dhanraj Singh, was a surprise guest at the party. Cassel, who is leading the prosecution team against Dhanraj Singh, made his grand entry to the function where more than 200 persons attended.

CJ Sharma broke with tradition last year in his first year as Chief Justice. Instead of hosting the annual party at his home, he hosted the function at the Hilton. His predecessor Michael de la Bastide hosted the annual reception at his Haleland Park, Maraval residence. Prior to this, the annual reception hosted by the Chief Justice was held at the official residence at Prada Street, St Clair. But this residence was sold by the State to a local businessman amidst controversy during the term of the UNC Government. There is no official residence for the Chief Justice. Instead, the incumbent Chief Justice, who lives at Fairways, Maraval, decided to host the annual reception at the Hilton. The President hosts receptions at his official residence, so too does the Prime Minister. The Chief Justice, who is the third highest official in this country, has no official residence at which to host such functions.

Back to Saturday night’s function.There was a wide cross-section of lawyers and other personalities. President George Maxwell Richards sent his apologies for not attending, but former President Arthur NR Robinson was most present. House Speaker Barry Sinanan, himself an attorney, was present, taking time off from his preparations for today’s ceremonial opening of the new session of Parliament. Not to be left out was Karl Hudson-Phillips QC, our own International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge and the leader of the defence team in the Dhanraj Singh trial. The majority of judges of the Supreme Court were present, along with several magistrates headed by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls. Fomer CJ De la Bastide was there with his wife Simone, but noticeably absent were former Chief Justices Cecil Kelsick and Clinton Bernard. The heads of departments within the Judiciary were present.