Young, a fair and fearless Magistrate – Delpeche

Senior Prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Adolphus Delpeche says outgoing chief magistrate Sonya Young has done an excellent job since taking up duties here as chief magistrate in 2008.{{more}}

Delpeche was at the time speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on the heels of Young’s departure as chief magistrate of the Serious Offences Court.

“She has always been a good judicial officer. Her reasoning has always been sound and sensible. One may not always agree with her and that’s the nature of our adversarial system… Even if one does not agree with her, you can see her line of reasoning and it has common sense to it. To me, that is the hallmark of a tremendous judicial officer,” Delpeche said.

Young is set to take up duties as a judge in Belize soon. She spent her last day presiding as chief magistrate on Friday, April 4.

Delpeche, who is a qualified lawyer, said Young has always been a fair and fearless magistrate.

“She’s been fair, in the sense that she listens to everybody. Remand prisoners would complain to her about issues they have at the prisons and she will listen to them and advise them accordingly…she’s fearless, in that she deals straight up with anyone if you infringe the law and that to me is excellent,” Delpeche stated.

He added that they have had a very good work relationship and noted that Young set a standard at her Court that helped others to improve their game.

Delpeche, who was the first prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court since it came into being, said having returned to St Vincent in 2010, following the completion of his studies, he had a conversation with the magistrate.

“She told me she heard about me before I went off and now I come back, having studied law, to whom much is given, much is expected…I was then challenged to lift the bar. I must give her that credit for giving me that encouragement,” Delpeche said.

He added that Young is a person that is very organised and described her as the consummate professional in the way she goes about her business.

Delpeche said he can’t single out the most memorable moment he appeared before the chief magistrate, but he hastened to say that he enjoyed all of them, whether he lost or succeeded in a matter.

“I would say that she’s a very conscientious and hard worker, who has very high standards and that is what I admire most about her,” Delpeche further added.

The members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Bar Association also expressed thanks to Young for her tenure as chief magistrate.

In a press release on Wednesday, the Bar Association stated that Young has demonstrated sound knowledge and application of law.

“In addition, she was responsible for the administrative running of the magistracy. With quiet and efficient manner, she exuded authority befitting her post and dealt with charges relating to murder, drugs, firearms and ammunition among others,” the release read.

“It is observed that she dispensed justice without fear or favour and as a consequence, has found favour with those who have conferred on her an opportunity for elevation to the post of Judge. Ms Young is slated to take up a judicial post in Belize.”

The release went on onto say, “The executive of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bar Association on behalf of all members of the practising bar will like to wish Her Ladyship, Justice Sonya Young ever continued success with her career on the bench and eagerly await her judgements which we are confident will be an exercise in keen judicial reasoning and excellence.”