JLSC told, hold your hand

The request was made after an attorney for the JLSC requested more time to respond to the intended lawsuit against Chief Justice Ivor Archie in his capacity as chairman of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC), over the composition of the commission with the specific issue of the presence of two retired judges as members.

Attorney Ian Roach, wrote to Ramlogan on Wednesday, informing him that he required more time to respond to the questions raised by the former AG.

Ramlogan, who is acting on behalf of former UNC minister Devant Maharaj, is questioning the constitutionality of the appointments of retired judges Roger Hamel- Smith and Humphrey Stollmeyer to the JLSC based on their age. Ramlogan had given the JLSC until 4 pm yesterday to respond. Roach, however, has asked Ramlogan to hold his hand on approaching the high court for an administrative order until May 19 so that he can take instructions from his client and respond.

In his reply, Ramlogan said his client was willing to agree to the extension but asked that the JLSC not make further appointments until the issue is determined by the court.

Ramlogan also told Roach he was not of the opinion that his client cannot go to court before May 19 to seek a conservatory order to prevent the JLSC from making future appointments.

“It would be improper and wrong for the Commission to use Section 36 as a justification for carrying on business as usual in the face of a legitimate challenge to its composition and jurisdiction,” Ramlogan said.

Members of the JLSC are CJ Archie; chairman of the Public Service Commission Maureen Manchouk and retired judges Roger Hamel- Smith and Humphrey Stollmeyer.