CJ considers his next move

Chief Justice Sat Sharma is considering his response to the setting up of a tribunal to investigate allegations made against him and his removal from office. Mr Sharma has made no public statement on Prime Minister Manning’s announcement in Parliament on Friday that he had asked President Max Richards to establish the tribunal in accordance with Section 137(c) of the Constitution.

But sources said that Mr Sharma was consulting his attorneys and considering two options. The first was to file for judicial review of Mr Manning’s decision. Alternately, he could decide to submit to the tribunal and confront those who have made allegations against him. The CJ is being investigated for allegedly trying to interfere in a matter before the court. His lawyers are Tajmool Hosein QC, Frank Solomon SC, Russell Martineau SC, Devesh Maharaj and Rajiv Persad. The names of members of the tribunal will be announced shortly.  They could be drawn from Mr Sharma’s peers anywhere in the Commonwealth.