A DWINDLING attendance at the formal opening of the new law term has shown the lack of interest or confidence in the judicial system in Trinidad and Tobago.

Acting Chief Justice Roger Hamel-Smith opened the 2006/2007 law term last Monday at the Convocation Hall of the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain with a plea to stop using the judiciary for political mileage.

Hamel-Smith’s acting appointment to the third highest office in T&T came in July, after Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma was facing a charge of perverting the course of public justice.

Sharma is expected to appeal his case in October before a panel of London Law Lords and the Privy Council.

Sharma did not attend last Monday ceremonial opening of the law term.

Hamel-Smith noted that the Judiciary would survive and emerge even stronger and more resolute in the execution of its mandate despite the disappointment of people in the justice system.

“The preservation of the public’s confidence in the impartial administration of justice is our most sacred and important duty of the country,” he added.

Hamel-Smith added that trust was difficult to acquire but easy to lose, particularly in a society such as ours where perception tends to be given more credence than reality unless the caretakers of that trust are determined to cherish it, defend it and to protect it.

Hamel-Smith also paid tribute to the late president Noor Hassanali.

He explained that Hassanali was an exemplar recognised for his humility and integrity.

Hamel-Smith said that there was a pressing need for more temporary judges to ease the backlog of civil cases under the old 1975 rules.

“Six or five temporary judges could clear the old case files within two years,” he noted.

“We may have to go to foreign and seek out lawyers and retired judges from the Caribbean, with a review of the working of the new rules expected shortly,” he added.

Acting Chief Justice ROGER HAMEL-SMITH
leads the procession.

President of the Senate Dr. LINDA BABOOLAL
and House Speaker BARRY SINANAN.

Chief Magistrate SHERMAN McNICOLLS (left)
eyes the inspection parade.

Attorney THEODORE GUERRA S.C. is the
centre of attraction.

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
MICHAEL de la BASTIDE (left) and Attorney
General JOHN JEREMIE share a light moment.

Hamel-Smith also commented on the deplorable state in which some of the nations courts are in.

He referred to the San Fernando courthouse, which he visited lately and suggested a series of complexes, three or four for each magistracy district to centralise the magistracy, similar to models in United States.

Among the dignitaries invited were president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Michael de la Bastide and several other members of the court, Attorney General Jeremie, Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other key stakeholders in the legal fraternity.

This was followed by an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.