High praise for Cummings

The short address that Andrew Cummings QC gave at the special celebratory sitting of the High Court, held in his honour on Friday, July 18, was one of personal reflection and wisdom.{{more}}

This country’s newest Queen’s Counsel didn’t want any fanfare. It took persuasion from friends, who acknowledged that his appointment as a Queen’s Counsel deserved public recognition, before he agreed to allow commendation from those closest to him – personally and professionally.

Mt Everest paled in comparison to the mountain of praise that Cummings, who received his letter of appointment to the “Inner Bar” on February 18, this year, received.

From Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, to judge on the Caribbean Court of Justice Adrian Saunders, to Queen’s Counsel Parnel Campbell and Bertram Commissiong, every one spoke in glowing terms of Cummings. They spoke of his legal brilliance, keen sense of humour, undisputed integrity, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Cummings, who is married to Jacqui and the father of four, used the opportunity to address issues of far reaching concern and consequence to individual, national and regional development.

He called on lawyers to strive for excellence and to change the public perception of lawyers.

“The public perception of the Bar is one of daggers thrown, driven by greed,” Cummings said.

Born 57 years ago to Saville and the late Ercelle Cummings, the law veteran of 33 years also called for a more active Bar Association, and lamented the difficulties encountered in getting lawyers together.

As he reflected on his own difficult battle with diabetes that led to renal failure and eventually a lifesaving kidney transplant, Cummings encouraged lawyers to pursue deeper values and avoid being caught up in the “relentless acquisition of material things.”

“Values are like your armed forces, they protect the standards from degradation,” Cummings, who was a member of the first law class at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, said.

But his strongest tone was reserved for his views on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He blasted the CARICOM member states for not making the court their final court of appeal by now, over three years since its April 16, 2005, inauguration.

“There is a body of opposition to change; there is a body of opposition to the creation of a Caribbean Court of Justice where all twelve countries subscribe. The reasons are so weak that they are not even worthy of discussion.”

Cummings said that the region’s jurisprudence is being impeded by the hold up, a hold up that reflects a prevailing attitude that we are not as good as other people.

That’s the only reason, Cummings reasoned, why, as a region, we could snub the brilliant legal luminaries that staff the CCJ and still hold to the British Privy Council.

“How can somebody eight thousand miles away, without a feel for our traditions and values, make law for us? The Caribbean Court of Justice is staffed by men of massive integrity… Would you get a better group of men in England?” the attorney asked firmly, with unmistakable conviction, to rapturous applause.

“We need to bring our law home. I feel it deep in my bones,” he declared emphatically.

In its original jurisdiction, the CCJ ensures uniform interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chagaramas, thereby underpinning and advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

Regarding its other jurisdiction, to act as the final court of appeal for member states, only Barbados and Guyana have so far signed on.

The Court is staffed by seven judges, including its president, the former Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, Justice Michael De La Bastide, and Vincentian judge, Justice Adrian Saunders. (KJ)