Eight new barristers sworn in at High Court

Legal practitioners should never let the loss of a case cause them to attack the reputation or integrity of the judge.

Addressing the High Court yesterday, Queen’s Counsel Parnel Campbell shared this advice with eight barristers, minutes after they were sworn in to practice law before High Court Judge Kathy-Ann Latchoo.

Campbell told John Ballah, Kaywana Jacobs, Jeville John, Jenell Gibson, Shernell Hadaway, {{more}}Ann-Marie Jack, Venold O’Garro and Nellien Bute that they should show respect for the court at all times.

“Some cases you will win, some you will lose. And do not let the loss of the case lead you to cast aspersions on the judge, but redouble your effort next time,” he urged.

Noting that they were the largest group of new entrants he has seen since he has been in the legal profession. Campbell also encouraged the new lawyers to continue to hold fast to the pledges they made and urged them never to forget that the law is the foundation of a civilized society.

He also reminded them that they are practising the law in a Caribbean setting and many aspects of the law which they practice may not be ideally suited to the achievement of justice in these parts. He warned them particularly, about the ‘rule of evidence,’ which he says, at times appears to promote injustice rather than justice.

“Let them not forget the law must serve the community and they must strive with the best of their intellects to tailor the law to achieve justice here in the Caribbean… here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Campbell congratulated all the new entrants into the legal profession.

Also speaking at the swearing in, High Court Judge Kathy-Ann Latchoo, like Campbell, urged the new lawyers to hold dear the pledge which they took. “You have all made promises in front of colleagues and friends and your relatives that you would uphold the highest traditions of the bar,” she said.

Latchoo noted that while some days will be harder than others, they must always remember the oath which they took.

She also advised that they should never feel the need to apologize if they become successful in their field.

“There is no need to feel apologetic for becoming successful. Buy the car, buy the house; life is short, enjoy it. But always hold as your guiding start the oaths that you took today.”

She encouraged them to take counsel from experienced members of the profession and from persons who are not in the profession who may have valuable lessons on life.

Latchoo also asked the new barristers to remember that if there are no ethics, the law is meaningless.

“There will be grey areas where there is not an immediately obvious right or wrong answer; take your time, seek advice before making a decision.

“In all that you do… always wear your helmet of truth and your breastplate of righteousness and you will not fail,” she added.

John Alvin Ballah, a former police officer, was presented by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Collin Williams and seconded by Karim Nelson, crown counsel in the office of the DPP. A former student of the Kingstown Government School and the Bishop’s College, Ballah is now assigned to the office of the DPP.

Kaywanna Jacobs, a former student of the Girls’ High School, was presented by Cecil Blazer Williams and seconded by Carl Williams.

Jeville John, son of former comptroller of Customs and lawyer Grenville John and his wife Phyills, had his application presented by Joseph Delves and seconded by his father, Grenville John. Jeville, who is presently reading for his Master of Laws degree at the University College of London, graduated from the UWI with a Bachelor of Law degree with first class honours.

Described as an exceptional student, the application of former national scholar Jenell Gibson was presented by president of the Bar Association René Baptiste and was seconded by Jadric Cummings. Gibson, who graduated from the UWI with a Bachelor of Law degree with first class honours, was also on the principal’s honour roll at the Hugh Wooding Law School and additionally, was awarded two other prizes from that institution. She is a former student of the Girls’ High School.

Shernell Hadaway, daughter of Commissioner of Police Renold Hadaway and his wife Hazel Anne, had her application presented and seconded by Attorney-General Judith Jones Morgan and Julian Jack, respectively. Presently attached to the AG’s chambers, Jones-Morgan described Shernell as dedicated, committed, industrious, pleasant, honest and a “Proverbs 31 woman”.

Ann-Marie Jack, daughter of lawyer Ronald Jack and his wife Rosemarie, had her application presented and seconded by Queen’s Counsel Stanley ‘Stalky’ John and her father respectively. Presently attached to the Family Court, Jack, a former student of the Girls’ High School, aspires one day to be a judge.

Venold O’Garro, who is also a certified chartered accountant, had his application presented by Julian Jack and seconded by Duane Daniel. A former student of the St Vincent Grammar School, O’Garro is a former teacher and formerly worked at the St Vincent Brewery Ltd, the National Commercial Bank and the Caribbean Court of Justice. O’Garro is presently employed at Caribbean Print Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nellien Bute, a former student of the Georgetown Secondary School, was presented by Sylvester Raymond Cadette and seconded by Israel Bruce. (CM)