Chief Justice Rawlins hangs up his gavel

Hugh Anthony Rawlins is retiring as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.{{more}}

Rawlins will officially hang up his robe on July 31 and retire as Chief Justice, having served since 2008.

In his honour, a special sitting was held on Tuesday, May 29, at the High Court.

Rawlins said he is more than confident that his successor will continue the great work of the Eastern Caribbean Court.

“I have absolutely no doubt that who-ever follows will be taking the baton a little further in building on what has been built…,” he said.

Rawlins told the small gathering that it has been quite a learning experience for him during his tenure as Chief Justice and also noted that he is satisfied that he has been able to strive in his own jurisdiction.

However, he said none of it would have been possible without the support he received from the Bar in every jurisdiction.

“I am happy that I had this experience. I am happy that I had support over these years by the Bar in every jurisdiction. That is extremely gratifying. Without the support of the Bar from all over this jurisdiction, I would not have been sitting here. Thank you very much…,” Rawlins said.

He admitted there have been negative comments across the OECS concerning the courts, but noted that outside of the OECS, he has been hearing positive comments.

“From Trinidad and Tobago to the Bahamas, they have all recognized the reform work that has been done before any other court in the Caribbean…,” Rawlins added.

Rawlins said about three years ago, there was a United Nations report which was in the Barbados Nation newspaper, concerning courts across the world. He noted that the report commended the Eastern Caribbean Court as being virtually the leading court in the Caribbean in terms of the institution and dispensing of justice.

According to Rawlins, the report spoke negatively of the operation of courts in most of the other Caribbean islands, regarding to the slow pace of progress of work.

“Leaders in past generations have worked assiduously and when you have commended me for the work that I have done, I am sobered by the fact that that work was building work on initiatives that were given before…,” Rawlins remarked.

Other remarks during the sitting came from Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan, President of the Local Bar Association Dr Linton Lewis, representative from the Inner Bar, attorney Bertram Commissiong QC, Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams, Parnel Campbell QC and representative of the Utter Bar, Nicole Sylvester.

Other judges from various jurisdictions were also present at the special sitting.

All present joined to thank Rawlins for his time served and wished him well in his future endeavours.(KW)