the Judiciary, the Bar Association and the Royal Anguilla Police Force
Rev Dr Wycherly Gumbs
The nine jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, including Anguilla, and a number of Churches, came together on Tuesday, September 18, to observe the opening of Law Year 2018 with messages from religious leaders and the Chief Justice, Madam Janice Pereira.
In Anguilla, the Law Year Service was held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church and was jointly conducted by Methodist Superintendent Minister, Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs and Rev. Wilmoth Hodge. Rev. Gumbs delivered the homily which was centered on the leadership of Moses, the law giver, in Biblical times, who carried a rod in his hand, symbolic of his role. In like manner, he made reference to the power of the law, the word and the pen in the hand of Attorneys and Judges in the Court.
“Don’t forget who you are. The power of your word transforms the world,” he told the legal practitioners. “Your word has become the burden for change, hope and judgment…You are indeed trendsetters in the region and beyond. So what is in your hand? The power of the pen – a gift from God… Oftentimes a young man or woman leaves the Court, because of your word, in shackles or free. There is a burden placed upon you that no other person in our community has to carry – the burden of the law, the burden of the word and the burden of your pen.”
The Methodist Minister added: “You have been given much – and because you have been given much, much is required of you. If you fail this generation, then history will condemn you as having been given much” but not taking advantage of the blessing.
The service, attended by officials of Government, the Governor’s Office, the Judiciary and a number of lawyers, was followed by an inspection of a Guard of Honour from the Royal Anguilla Police Force by Resident Judge, Justice Cheryl Mathurin; an address by Chief Justice, Madam Janice Pereira by telecast from St. Kitts; and addresses by the Judge and lawyers in Anguilla – as was the case in the other jurisdictions of the Court.
The Chief Justice spoke of the damage done to a number of court buildings by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and financial assistance from a number of sources for repairs; the assistance needed from Governments in the various jurisdictions to support the work of the Court and to provide better accommodation facilities and services; the constraints, heavy work load facing the Court; the Court’s many achievements; and several of its new initiatives and reforms to improve the administration of justice to the people in the nine jurisdictions.
The Chief Justice’s address was followed by addresses by Mr. Ivor Greene, Acting Attorney General; Mr. Thomas Astaphan, QC; Ms. Jean Dyer on behalf of the Anguilla Bar Association; and closing remarks by Justice Cheryl Mathurin.
The theme for Law Year 2018 is: “Challenges, Opportunities and Resilience: The ECSC paving the way to a Modern and Efficient Judiciary for the Eastern Caribbean.”
