South lawyers threaten election boycott

The threat to boycott Friday’s election came after the Law Association refused to entertain any voting in San Fernando. The Association, in correspondence to the ASL, informed the Assembly that the High Court Registry in Port-of-Spain was unable to guarantee the technology to supply a reliable audio-visual link between venues in San Fernando and Tobago and Port of Spain.

In a letter to his membership on Monday, Khan said the ASL sought to provide an alternative to the Law Association Executive which was rejected.

He said the association was told that the Election Notice detailed that the meeting will be held in Port of Spain.

“The LATT has also sought to rely on Rule 24 of the Rules of the Council of the Law Association.

We find that in that Rule, no support for the LATT’s position.

It is our view that the inconvenient truth is that our LATT for reasons unknown to us, is not prepared to facilitate our request or take into account the effect of its unilateral decision has on a large scale of its membership,” Khan told his members. He said the ASL represent over 500 members.

In his letter to Armour, Khan said the ASL noted with disappointment the decision taken to have only one general council meeting and no live stream of the proceedings or voting in San Fernando as the Assembly’s views or input were not sought.

He also said he knew of no basis where members of the association will seek to challenge the results of Friday’s election or have invalidated the ballots cast by lawyers in San Fernando.