Lucky flies TT flag in Germany

ANTHONY AMOS LUCKY has reached the pinnacle of his legal career. When he thought that 2005 would have brought to an end his distinguished career as a judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago, came the announcement that he was to become a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ILOS) with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Justice Lucky has been appointed to the ILOS until September 30, 2011. He replaced the late Lennox Ballah, who died earlier this year. Justice Lucky is very happy and proud that he was chosen to be Trinidad and Tobago’s representative at the ILOS. From 143 member states, Justice Lucky is one of the 21 judges who form the panel to settle international disputes. How did Justice Lucky become a judge of the ILOS?

“I was on my way to the Judges’ retreat in Tobago in May when I received a call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Knowlson Gift asking for my CV. He told me that I had been nominated by the Government to fill the vacancy on the ILOS left vacant by the death of Lennox Ballah. “My immediate action was one of shock. I did not expect it,” Justice Lucky told People. He continued, “I told the Minister if that was so, it was an honour and privilege, but I would have to consult with my family before making a final decision. That decision did not take long. Within half an hour, I returned the call and said it would be an honour for me.” Justice Lucky said he immediately informed Chief Justice Sat Sharma, letting him know that this was still subject to an election in New York on September 2. The ILOS had issued a notice to all 143 member states asking for nominations which was scheduled to be closed on July 28. Although he was the sole nominee, there still had to be an election, as he needed to get 75 percent of the votes to be elected.

What was the response of the Chief Justice? “The Chief Justice told me he was happy that I had told him. He was confident that I was going to be elected. But I told him that this was not a fait accompli.” Justice Lucky said at that time, he still had three outstanding judgments in the Court of Appeal.  With his planned departure within months, he sat down to complete the judgments, the last of which was delivered in early August. What about his colleagues, friends and relatives? “A few of my colleagues on the Bench were ecstatic and expressed extreme happiness. My friends and relatives were happy, not only for me, but for Trinidad and Tobago,” Justice Lucky added. Justice Lucky and his wife Cintra left Trinidad on August 15 on vacation, but were in New York for the September 2 election. Ninety-six countries were represented. When the voting ended, there were four abstentions and 92 voting for the TT representative. What was his reaction after he was formally elected? “I thanked God for this. I felt proud and happy for Trinidad and Tobago. I also felt humble by the fact that I was welcomed immediately by the other 20 judges, who are renowned jurists, former Ambassadors, and lecturers in law in their countries. I also felt that I owed a duty to my predecessor Mr Lennox Ballah who was held in high regard and had worked with all the current judges.”

Justice Lucky was also happy that his wife Cintra and daughter Cindy Ann were present. Incidentally, Justice and Mrs Lucky celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary today. Did Justice Lucky have any regrets leaving the TT Judiciary? “I had none. I felt I had done what I had sworn in 1987 to do. I did it in accordance with my conscience, remembering to all that there is a supreme judge. I felt I was opening a door for others to follow from the national to the international stage.” He continued, “as a Trini, I felt happy for Trinidad and Tobago. Whatever I did was a reflection on my country. It is Trinidad and Tobago actually serving on the international scene. Here is a small state with 1.3 million people sitting among countries with excess of one billion people.” He was duly sworn in on September 8 in a ceremony at ILOS Headquarters in Hamburg. Immediately upon his swearing in, Justice Lucky was served with papers to adjudicate in a sea battle filed by Malaysia against Singapore.

He was one of the judges who on October 8, delivered judgments in favour of Malaysia. When is his next case? None has yet been told to him, but if there is, he will get ten-days’ notice. Justice Lucky joked, “hopefully, not for a while.” Justice Lucky, father of four daughters — Cindy Ann, Gillian, Elizabeth, and Antonia, was born on May 11, 1940. A former student of Presentation College, San Fernando, he graduated from Gray’s Inn, London, in 1961 and was called to the Bar of TT upon his return home. He served as a magistrate between 1964 and 1974 before he became in-house counsel to Royal Bank. In 1987, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of TT and 13 years later, elevated to the Court of Appeal. He was also a tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School, St Augustine.