Under threat

At least two lawyers believe that because they choose to champion unpopular causes, lives are being threatened.

They are Nicole Sylvester and Kay Bacchus-Browne, the presidents of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Bar Association and the St Vincent and The Grenadines Bar Association, respectively.{{more}}

They made their claims on Wednesday, July 30, while addressing the High Court, where a special sitting was being held in memory of the late Bertram Stapleton, an attorney whose life was viciously cut short at the hand of a gunman on July 23.

“There are many of us at the bar, because we may not champion what one considers to be popular causes, continue to be under threat,” Sylvester said.

So while Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves touted the security measures that have been put in place at the various court houses and for the judges and the Chief Magistrate, Sylvester says that the call must still be made for a greater level of security in the courts.

Her views were also echoed by Kay Bacchus-Browne, the president of the local bar association.

Bacchus-Browne called on landlords of buildings where lawyers’ chambers are to put in place minimum security measures like having guards posted at the buildings. She also advised lawyers to consider using “buzzing in” system for their doors.

Sylvester and Bacchus have both claimed to have received death threats in recent times, which they have hinted could be linked to their representation of the policewoman who accused Dr Gonsalves of raping her earlier this year.

Bacchus-Browne has also accused the police of following her vehicle one night in a threatening manner, while it was being driven by her son.

The matter involving the policewoman was taken over and discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and despite attempts made by the woman’s legal team to have this decision reviewed, the DPP’s decision has been upheld in the High Court and the OECS Appeal Court.(KJ)