Who is in charge?

In a statement, the UNC cited comments by Rowley at a news conference at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre on July 18, following a meeting with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the same venue.

Rowley indicated that following consultations between Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the AG came to him with a proposal from DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, to legislate amendments to the Summary Courts Act and Preliminary Inquiries Act, “so the problem that now exists of people not being able to have their matters heard could be dealt with.” This related to 53 cases currently in limbo as as result of the imbroligio arising from the appointment of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers Caesar as a High Court judge and her subsequent resignation from that post.

Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition would not support this move but wanted Section 137 of the Constitution, which involves the removal of a judge from office and appointment of a tribunal as part of the process, to be activated.

Rowley said he and Persad-Bissessar reached no agreement on this issue. However Rowley agreed with him that Government and the Opposition have further discussions about the process whereby judges are appointed to the High Court, “with a view to modernising the process.” Rowley maintained that the matter is on “in the Judiciary” and Government will have to be advised on the options available to it.

The UNC claimed that shortly after Rowley’s statements, s Al-Rawi said his intention is to proceed with legislative intervention.

The UNC alleged Al-Rawi said the necessary amendments to the Summary Courts Act and the Preliminary Inquiries Act do not require a special majority. The Parliament is currently on recess There has been no move to date by Government to reconvene Parliament during the recess to deal with any urgent matter