Judge bars 300 state attorneys from voting in Law Association election

Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee

State attorneys are not entitled to attend and vote at general meetings or elections of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago without paying the annual subscription fee.

That's a ruling handed down Monday by High Court judge Maureen Rajnauth-Lee ahead of Wednesday's annual general meeting and election of officers of the association. A lawyer for the state attorneys, Ian Benjamin, has advised that he may file an appeal.

Benjamin sought to have the judge grant an injunction to stop the elections.

The president of the Association of Law Officers (ALO) told local media while her association is disappointed with the ruling, she respects the decision of the court.

"In light of the fact that the practice over the last 25 years has been that law officers have been able to attend, vote and even sit on the council we were very shocked by the Law Association's actions to bring this to court," Jonetta Maynard told the Express newspaper.

Maynard said the judgment means that about 300 law officers won't be allowed to participate in the Law Association elections.

"We're all part of the legal profession," she said, adding: "I think it's important for us to have a voice because many of the decisions would affect all attorneys."

The Law Association is currently headed by Dana Seetahal, SC. 

In her ruling the judge stated, "The Court wishes to urge the Association to consider whether the imposition of this administrative fee, whether in relation to JRAs or other attorneys-at-law, has been properly authorised by the Association pursuant to the Act," Rajnauth-Lee said.

Seetahal did not comment on the ruling. However she said said all systems are in place for Wednesday's elections which will proceed as planned unless the court grants a stay. Israel Khan, SC, is Seetahal's opponent in the election.