QC Sylvester’s career hangs in the balance

Othneil Sylvester QC is expected to learn next Tuesday May 29th if he will be suspended or struck off the roll of OECS Barristers and Solicitors.{{more}}

High Court Justices Frederick Bruce-Lyle and Kenneth Benjamin will deliver judgement in the civil lawsuit filed by a private commercial Danish foundation, Faelleseje, which seeks to recover EC$5,212,500, monies reportedly expended for the purchase of a parcel of land at Orange Hill Estates. The Danish foundation also commenced the court action seeking to discipline him.

Sylvester, a former temporary High Court judge during the period 2001 to 2002, had tried to block disciplinary proceedings initiated by his former clients, which commanded him to explain why he should not be suspended or struck off the roll of Barristers and Solicitors.

Both actions arose from a controversial land transaction dating back to July 1984. The Danish foundation hired Sylvester as their lawyer during the purchase of a group of estates, measuring approximately 3,300 acres, at Orange Hill Estates.

Attorneys Karl Hudson-Phillips QC, Stanley Marcus SC, Bertram Commissiong QC, and Mira Commissiong are representing the foundation, while Sir Henry Forde QC, Russell Martineau SC, Emery Robertson and Nicole Sylvester, (the appellant’s daughter) represent Sylvester.

Sylvester was a former Speaker of the House of Assembly (1966-1968); a former Member of Parliament and Minister of Government from 1972 to 1974; and a former Director of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (1984-1986).

After distinguishing himself at the Bar for a period in excess of twenty-six (26) years, Sylvester was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Counsels in 1985.