Gov’t: No Issues With Appointment Of New Attorney General
“The Government assures that due diligence was followed with regard to the appointment of Mr. Garvin Nicholas as Senator and Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago.”
That’s the word from Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications, Vasant Bharath, who sought to clarify claims made in a newspaper article on Thursday 5th February, 2015.
“As explained by the Attorney General in the same newspaper article, he was called to the Bar in the United Kingdom in 2001 as a Barrister of Law and Member of the Inner Temple. Later that year, he returned to Trinidad and Tobago to start his six month in-service training at Trinity Chambers under the tutelage of the head of chambers, the late Desmond Allum SC, as part of the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) requirement to get called to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago,” Minister Bharath noted.
“Regarding allegations in the article that Mr. Nicholas was requesting a percentage of fees from work he had referred to attorneys while at the chambers, these claims were denied, and Mr. Nicholas continued his pupillage at Trinity Chambers until his decision to resign and complete his training with Mr. Robin Montano,” Minister Bharath stated.
“It is worth noting that this matter occurred more than 14 years ago, and was resolved,” the Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications said. “Senator Nicholas was called to the Bar in 2002 in Trinidad and Tobago, and has a distinguished career in the fields of Law, Politics and Diplomacy.”
“The Government has every confidence that Senator Nicholas will execute the functions of the Office of the Attorney General responsibly, and in keeping with the highest principles of integrity, transparency and accountability,” Minister Bharath said.
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Ministry of Communications
Following Letter from the Law Association to Attorney Gregory Delzin clarifying the issue:
February 5, 2015
Mr. Gregory Delzin
Attorney-at-Law
Trinity Chambers
Level I Uptown Mall,
44-58 Edward Street,
Port-of-Spaln
Dear Delzin.
I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 4. 2015 with enclosures and pen this response thereto on behalf of Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
It appears to Council that this matter which anise some 14 years ago, while Mr Nicholas was a student doing his pupilage at Trinity Clambers, was adequately and properly dealt with by our late colleague Desmond Allum SC in his letter dated October 29.2001.
The Honourable Attorney General Mr. Garvin Nicholas was subsequently admitted as an Attorney at Law to practise law in Trinidad and Tobago having satisfied all the requirements under the Legal, Profession Act.
It is unfortunate and even mischievous that this matter which was previously addressed has now found its way into the public domain. It is the Council, considered view that this matter was resolved 14 years ago.
Please be guided accordingly.
Sincerely,
SEENATH JAIRAM, SC. –
President Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago