AG rapped for attacks on Law Association

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago has sent a five-page letter to Attorney General John Jeremie concerning the AG's criticism of Justice Rajendra Narine in Parliament. It says it stands by its position on the judge and also chides Jeremie for his personal attack on Law Association President Martin Daly.

The letter said Jeremie's reliance on the legal opinion of Caribbean jurists B. St. Michael Hylton QC, and Dr Lloyd Barnett was wrong.

Read the story: AG Jeremie fires back, say Law Association president lied
Read the story: Law Association stands behind Daly....

"It is extraordinary that you would rely on the opinions of Hylton QC and Barnett to suggest that the...(Council of the Law Association) statement should be corrected, when their opinions confirm the correctness of the Council’s position," the legal body stated.

The letter, which was signed by Daly, states, "If something does not exist legally how can it be used in other proceedings and for other purposes? It is precisely because it exists legally that, in the words of your Counsel, it is clear and beyond dispute that it can be used in other proceedings, and for the other purposes."

Daly noted that since "the affidavit continued to exist legally Justice Narine had jurisdiction to direct the Registrar of the Supreme Court to forward a copy of the affidavit to the Acting Commissioner of Police, and the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions for their consideration."

On Jeremie's allegation that Daly told a lie, Daly said: "Whatever the disagreement between the Council and yourself on the relevant case law, the Council considers it disgraceful that you descended into a personal attack on me, presumably using the cover of Parliamentary privilege.

"It is significant that you have never identified the “lie” which you alleged that I spoke as President of the Law Association. I spoke no lie.

“I put forward the Council’s view relating to the matter bearing in mind that a sitting judge would not be expected to enter the arena to answer the criticism of him.

"Moreover, in making the attack on me, you ignored the obvious fact that the statement was one of the Council, comprising as it does a body of lawyers democratically elected to represent their colleagues," Daly pointed out.

"In view of the fact that you accused someone in the Senate of a “lie” which you never identified, the Council has decided that this letter be copied to the President of the Senate with a request that he advise whether the practices and procedures of Parliament permit such conduct.

"The decision of Justice Narine to refer to the copy of the affidavit for investigation is an order from which an appeal lies. The Council therefore stands by its statement, and does not accept that the opinions which you have provided require us to make any correction of the Council’s press release.

"We look forward to a return to disagreement with civility, when such disagreement is necessary,"the Law Association stated.