Government and Opposition officials, the Judiciary and members of the legal fraternity representing the private and public Bars, the Clergy, and representatives of the citizenry ofAnguilla, joined in bidding farewell to Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Hugh Rawlins, on Monday, May 14.
The occasion was a special sitting of the Court of Appeal, to say farewell to Sir Hugh who is demitting office as Chief Justice – after serving for five years – citing personal reasons. Overall, the Nevisian-born Jurist, who has acknowledged that he has not reached retirement age, served as a Judge for an overall 12 years. The Court sitting was presided over by him; Resident High Court Judge in Anguilla, Justice Louise Blenman; and Justices Janice George-Pereira, Paul Webster, Davidson Baptiste and Don Mitchell.
The delivery of tributes and well wishes were led by Madam Justice Blenman. “It is an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome you at this special sitting which we convene to pay tribute to Sir High,” she said. “We are all aware of the excellent service Sir Hugh has given to our region as a whole and the Judiciary in particular. Indeed, he has served the Court for 12 years in the capacities of Master, High Court Judge, Justice of Appeal and now Chief Justice; and in all of these offices he has given selflessly and tirelessly with dignity, integrity, honour, commitment and fairness. It is therefore fitting that as Sir Hugh is about to demit office on 31st July 2012, that a special sitting of the Court inAnguillais convened to pay tribute to this eminent jurist.”
Justice Blenman noted that before joining the Court Sir High, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth earlier this year, “gave outstanding public service as a Teacher, Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General, Law Lecturer at the University of theWest Indies.” She went on: “It therefore came as no surprise that his commitment to justice and his dedication to service would result in his elevation to the Judiciary.” She focused the rest of her tribute on her knowledge of Sir Hugh – during her nine years of service – with respect to his contribution to all aspects of the law, his scholarship, legal philosophy and accomplishments.
Attorney General, James Wood, spoke largely in connection with statements made by Sir Hugh in September 2008 in an address at the opening of the Law Year in connection with various aspects of his (Sir Hugh’s) work. “Much was said about improving the technology for the Court; improving the availability of information concerning the Court; the establishment of a Criminal Division and a Commercial Division; improving Judicial Education; Family Law Reform; the establishment of professional ethics for lawyers.”
Mr. Wood examined in detail each of the goals of the Court set out by the outgoing Chief Justice, and pointed to the fact that much success had been achieved in the various areas during Sir Hugh’s term of office.
“I end by offering congratulations on the award of your Knighthood,” Mr. Wood concluded. “I wish you all the very best in your retirement from the Bench, and to say thank you for the work that you have done as Chief Justice in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.”
President of the Anguilla Bar Association, Attorney Yvette Wallace of Keithley Lake & Associates, said in part: “It has been said that the essential judicial qualities are: learning, wisdom, compassion, eloquence, independence, impartiality, attentiveness, diligence, common sense, clarity of thought and of expression, administrative skills and strength of character. I submit, My Lord Chief Justice, that you have manifested all these qualities – and at a very high level – for the entire period that you have served this Court in your various capacities as a Master, a Judge, a Judge of Appeal and presently as Chief Justice.”
She also noted the other services rendered by Sir Hugh, before commencing his varied judicial duties, and continued: “Your meteoric rise to Chief Justice in such a short period of time is testament to your scholarship, hard work and dedication,” she told him, mentioning various aspects of his work including his legal writings which had been of much assistance to others in the profession.
Senior Lawyer, Thomas Astaphan, a fellow St. Kitts-Nevis national, serving inAnguilla, described Sir High as “a distinguished jurist”, among other commendations, and spoke about his recollections of him as his history teacher, fellow law student and life-long friend.
“I consider myself to be both privileged and honoured, both lucky and fortunate, to have known Your Lordshipfor what seems like an eternity,” Mr. Astaphan remarked. He concluded: “I have been your student; you have been my master both in school and in court; you have been my colleague at Cave Hill [University of theWest Indies]; you have been my learned friend at the Bar. You have been my Chief Justice. Most of all you have been a friend to me…I wish you, My Lord Chief Justice, continued goodwill and success in your life. May your retirement, when it comes, be as fruitful as your careers as a Teacher, a Lawyer a Jurist.”
Lawyer Gerhard Wallbank of Webster Dyrud Mitchell offered a heartfelt thanks to Chief Justice Rawlins. “You have exercised your function with a subtle blend of two all important qualities,” he told him. “You have done so as a global shining light. Judgments of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court are now cited all over the English Commonwealth and we, as lawyers, are increasingly been asked by lawyers in other Commonwealth jurisdictions – across the world – to provide authorities and to advise in relation to them and try and interpret them. That global reach has given all of us a global responsibility for the Judiciary, and the Bar, so that we can be up toa world class standard – and you, My Lord, have led from the front.”
Other speakers were Senior Magistrate, Ivenia Benjamin, and Lawyers Jean Dyer and Keesha Carty, who were Sir Hugh’s law students at the University of theWest Indies. They spoke at length on his varied assistance to them and his contribution to their success. They joined in expressing gratitude and in offering their best wishes to him.
In his response, the Chief Justice commented at length on the addresses of all the speakers, with particular reference to matters related to the Court, and thanked them for their kind remarks and work in the Court over the years.
Following his detail response, Sir Hugh placed on record his thanks and appreciationto the Registrar of this Court, including the past Registrar, Mrs. Harding; the present Registrar, Ms.Vernette Richardson; the Court Reporters, Bailiff, the Police; the Prison staff and all others who assisted him during his service on the Bench in Anguilla.
