Gibson-Marks volunteered disbarment – Attorney

Even before Attorney General Judith Jones Morgan commenced proceedings to have former registrar of the High Court Tamara Gibson Marks disbarred, Marks had already volunteered to do so.{{more}}

According to Gibson-Marks’ counsel, St Lucian Alberton Richelieu, on May 29, 2014, eight days after his client resigned as registrar, she wrote the Attorney General, indicating her intention to file an application for voluntary disbarment.

Richelieu made the disclosure while addressing the magistrate at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where Gibson-Marks was being sentenced on two charges.

“On May 29, in further acknowledgement of her error and culpability and well in advance of criminal proceedings, my client wrote to the Attorney General, indicating her intention to file application for voluntary disbarment,” Richelieu said.

According to Richelieu, the Attorney General acknowledged receipt of the letter on June 6, 2014, but stated that an application was filed to have Gibson-Marks disbarred.

The Attorney General filed the application to have Marks disbarred on June 5, 2014.

In the application, the Attorney General gave three reasons why the former registrar should be disbarred and called on Gibson-Marks to show cause why she should not.

On Monday, September 22, that application by the Attorney General to have Marks disbarred was upheld by Justice Esco Henry, meaning that the way is now clear for the Attorney General to move to have Marks disbarred because of improper and unprofessional conduct.

“In the circumstances, no substantive challenge has been advanced in respect of those proceedings and the defendant accepts that she has been suspended or disbarred,” Richelieu added.

Magistrate Carla James fined Gibson-Marks $4,500 on the charge of theft, to be paid in one month or she will spend three months in prison. On the charge of abuse of office, the former registrar was fined $6,000, to be paid in three months or spend six months in jail. (KW)