4 judges missed law term opening

Justice Roger Hamel-Smith, the most senior Court of Appeal judge, is recuperating after having surgery. No reason was advanced for the absence of Appeal Court Judge Wendell Kangaloo.

Justice Carlton Best, the senior High Court Judge, was also absent. It was not the first time that Justice Best missed the ceremonial opening. High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip was reported to be ill.

Attorney General John Jeremie missed yesterday’s opening because he was attending the Comm-onwealth Law Ministers’ Conference in London. His place was taken by Minister of Legal Affairs Christine Kangaloo, who is acting as Attorney General.

There was a no-show from Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson. He was also in London attending the conference.

Acting DPP Carla Brown-Antoine was present at the ceremonial opening.

Yesterday’s ceremonial opening started with an inter-faith service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral which was attended by President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Jean, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, House Speaker Barry Sinanan, and President of the Senate Dr Linda Baboolal.

After the church service, Chief Justice Sat Sharma inspected a guard of honour comprising men and women of the Police Service. During the inspection, the Police Band played Merchant’s Pan in Danger.

The streets around the Hall of Justice were cordoned off for the ceremonial opening. There was a small crowd to witness the procession by members of the legal profession.

The procession was smaller than in previous years, but yesterday’s ceremony was carried out in brilliant weather.