Othniel Sylvester struck off the roll of Barristers

Othneil Sylvester can no longer practice law here, and the local Bar Association and a former Attorney General have described the turn of events as extremely sad and unfortunate.{{more}}

In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, May 29, High Court Justices Frederick Bruce-Lyle and Kenneth Benjamin ordered that Sylvester, the most senior lawyer at the local bar, be struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors with immediate effect.

“It is a very sad turn of events,” said former Attorney General, renowned lawyer and television host Parnel Campbell QC as he reflected on the disgraceful end to what had been an illustrious career.

The Judgment against Sylvester came as a result of a civil lawsuit filed in February 2004 by Danish private commercial foundation, Faelleseje, which sought 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.

The Justices also ordered that Sylvester pay Faelleseje the money claimed (EC$5,212,500) plus five per cent interest per annum from December 1993 until the money has been paid. The former lawyer has been given 6 months to pay in full. He has also been ordered to pay costs of $40,000 to the plaintiffs.

According to court documents, Faellesje claimed that in July 1984, it entered into an agreement with Sylvester, who then acted as their solicitor, to purchase a group of estates here in St. Vincent, comprising approximately 3,300 acres and known as the Orange Hill Estates.

Two months after the purchase of the estate, the Government acquired the land because of protests by the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines about the sale. In November 1991, the Danish foundation was awarded EC$4.7 million, which carried interest of five per cent per annum.

The Danish foundation says it received some money but sued Sylvester for what it described as the remainder.

Meanwhile vice president of the local Bar Association Kay Bacchus Browne told SEARCHLIGHT that such circumstances were unfortunate and said that it is worrying how such a judgment will reflect on the legal profession.

She however noted that it was important that the process be allowed to run its natural course, hinting that she suspected that the matter may have some way to go yet.

Campbell for his part, said that he hoped that no matter what the final outcome is in the matter, after all the legal maneuvering is over, that Sylvester’s massive contribution to the law practice and politics is not forgotten or overshadowed.

“This tragedy should not cause us to overlook his great achievements,” he said.

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

Sylvester, a former temporary OECS High Court Judge, was also one of the persons charged with appointing judges to the Caribbean Court of Justice. He was also 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.