Gala opening for CCJ

This was revealed by Dr Pat Bishop, co-ordinator of the inauguration ceremony, during a media briefing at Queen’s Hall yesterday. Although the official ceremony begins at 9.30 am, celebrations start at 6.30 am with the sounds of Exodus and Lydian Steel orchestras. Guests will park at President’s Grounds, with a shuttle service taking invited persons to the venue. Those who prefer to walk will be greeted by girls in traditional Indian and African dress lining the route.

Top Indian artiste Heeralal Rampartap will be in the lobby to greet guests, while judges are taken outside in a special tent to be robed for the special occasion. Representatives of various religious bodies will deliver prayers. Policemen will then sound the trumpets for the fanfare and the start of the procession promptly at 9.30 am. The procession will comprise regional chief justices and judges of the CCJ. So prestigious is the event, that the organisers have borrowed mahogany chairs from President’s House for the judges to sit on stage. After everyone is seated, President George Maxwell Richards will arrive and be introduced to the judges by Sir David Simmons, Chief Justice of Barbados. Two CCJ judges — Adrian Saunders of St Lucia, and Desiree Bernard of Guyana — have not yet been sworn in. They will be sworn in by Richards at this stage. Three Caribbean prime ministers, including Patrick Manning, will speak. Former TT Chief Justice, Michael de la Bastide, the CCJ President, will then address the gathering.

The 900 guests will then enjoy a meal of mini phyllo tartlets with black bean and corn salsa; assorted fruit kebabs, stuffed baguette slices with smoked fish terrine/pepper jelly glaze; blue cheese and pear chutney canapes; Asian chicken salad on crispy wanton skins; marinated tortellini and tomato skewers; kingfish balls with tartar sauce; and vegetable samosas with tamarind dip. The meal is estimated to cost $180,000.