Mother presents son to the Bar – first time for SVG

Emotion ran through Attorney Margaret Hughes-Ferrari’s voice as she presented her son to be called to the Bar last Tuesday, the first time that a mother has yet done so in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Matthew Ferrari has been called to the Bar officially as of October 17, with his mother, as well as attorney Samantha Robertson, presenting his application to Justice Nicola Byers of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Hughes-Ferrari said although it was a long and sometimes painful road to reach that point, she felt nothing but joy on that day.

She said Matthew “came into the world in the very early morning of the 2nd of August 1973, after causing his mother a long night of agony. It was the first, but not the last time he’s caused me pain, but all in all, My Lady, he has brought me much joy and none more so than today.”

Hughes-Ferrari said her son’s journey started at the Kingstown Preparatory School in SVG, followed by secondary education at the St Martin’s Secondary School. He completed his A levels at Ratcliffe College in the United Kingdom. Since then, he has satisfied all legal requirements, and was called to the Bar of England and Wales last year.

At 44 years of age, Matthew has now successfully been called to the Bar of SVG, the third generation of his family to do so.

“My Lady, Matthew will be the third generation of my family to be called to the Bar. His grandfather, my father, the late Edward Alexander Hughes, practised law in this country from 1943 until his death in 1989,” Hughes-Ferrari stated, adding that shortly after his passing, she was called to the Bar herself, the first daughter of an attorney to do so.

Her voice heavy with emotion, Hughes-Ferrari then said, “M’Lady, I’ve been trying to keep this from being personal, but how can it not be personal…apart from a day of great delight for me and my family, it is also a very emotional one.”

Hughes-Ferrari said although her own father could not be present to witness either of them being called to the Bar, she was sure he would have been immensely proud.

“While my father missed my call by just a few months, I always felt that he was present with me on that day and today I am sure he is bursting with pride, wherever he is,” she stated.

Matthew Ferrari, whose application was accepted by Justice Byers, was sworn in as a barrister and solicitor of this state shortly afterwards.

Ferrari, who spoke briefly of his feelings on that day, stated, “It is an honour to be called before this institution. I will do my best to uphold the honour and dignity of the profession.”(KR)