New law term opens tomorrow

One of the highlights of the opening will be the new rules of court — Civil Proceeding Rules 1998. More interestingly, however, will be the CJ’s comments, if any, about the relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive. At the opening of the law term last year, the CJ boasted that the relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive was improving, but considering the present state of affairs, the CJ may sing a different tune. The CJ and the Executive are now before the court, as the Executive is seeking to impeach the Chief Justice. Prime Minister Patrick Manning had asked President George Maxwell Richards to appoint a tribunal to investigate alleged misconduct by the CJ in relation to a murder case involving surgeon Prof Vijay Naraynsingh and his wife Chandra Naraynsingh. Prof Naraynsingh has since been exonerated by the courts on the charge of murder.

While the CJ was granted leave for judicial review against the PM’s instruction, the President decided to hold his appointment of a tribunal pending the outcome of the court hearing.

It will also be interesting to see if Attorney General John Jeremie and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson attend the opening at the Convocation Hall, which they usually do. Both men have sworn to affidavits on behalf of the State in the matter against CJ Sharma.

The CJ is also expected to provide an update on the status of the magistracy, a section of the Judiciary that has long been neglected and which the CJ has been struggling to upgrade.

The opening will continue with its ceremonial splendour, starting with a "service of divine worship" at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity on Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, at 10. am.