High praises for Chief Justice Hugh Rawlins

Tribute was paid to Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Hugh Rawlins at a special sitting of the Court on Wednesday in Kingstown.

The Chief Justice was praised highly by members of bar of the local legal fraternity.{{more}} In congratulating his friend, resident High Court Judge Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle said he and Rawlins have formed a long-lasting friendship since he (Bruce-Lyle) arrived in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in 1989. “I am indeed very happy that Justice Rawlins has reached the pinnacle of his career and we are happy to have him as our Chief Justice,” Bruce-Lyle stated.

Speaking on behalf of Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan, Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams extended hearty congratulations to Justice Rawlins, stating that he was heartened by the fact that those in authority saw it fit to confirm him as Chief Justice after he had served as acting Chief Justice. Williams said that he believes that the Chief Justice has all the requisite qualities for a successful tenure.

In his response, Chief Justice Rawlins said he was overwhelmed by the support shown by the bar and thanked the judges who had come out of retirement to help with the administration of justice.

Rawlins began his legal career in 1985 when he was called to the Bar in his native country of St Kitts and Nevis. After his call, Rawlins worked as a Crown Counsel and then as Registrar and Additional Magistrate responsible for District B in 1998 in his homeland.

In 2000, Chief Justice Rawlins became Master of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and then in 2002, he ascended to the position of High Court Judge, and then was appointed to the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2005.

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Bar Association Kay Bacchus-Browne, Bertram Commissiong QC, Parnel Campbell QC and Stanley “Stalky” John also expressed congratulatory remarks to Rawlins.(KW)