AG confirms leaders of legal teams

Four top lawyers in Trinidad and Tobago will head teams of legal practitioners to handle government's cases relating to detainees from the State of Emergency.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on Sunday that four teams would deal with the legal issues on behalf of the government.

On Thursday Attorney General Anand Ramlogan confirmed the names the people who will head the teams. They are all Senior Counsels:

• Former Independent Senator and President of the Law Association Dana Seetahal
• Criminal lawyer Pamela Elder
• Former police officer Ted Guerra 
• Criminal lawyer Israel Khan

Ramlogan said they will have other lawyers to assist in the preparation of cases that would be have to go to court as a result of the emergency.

Ramlogan said the lawyers were selected after consultations with the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and legal officers from his minister. 

He said he wanted to make sure that he maintained international standards assure people who might have fears of abuse of human rights, and also to provide police with competent legal advice.

The AG said members on the Junior Counsel team include Sophia Chote, Justice Larry Lalla and Ulric Skerrette. He said all of them have served well in the criminal justice system.

"They have been selected as well to strike the right balance. To ensure that those who are innocent will be treated fairly, and released early. Those, there may be credible evidence to substantiate and justify charges that their cases will be properly prepared with a view to securing a conviction," Ramlogan said.