Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 23, 2016 News
…describes Chris Ram as a five-year-old who cannot get his own way on the ball field
The Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the catastrophic events at Georgetown Prison has issued a statement reproving the actions of the Attorneys.
The Commissioners were seeking to clear the air on matters surrounding a recently publicized incident involving two lawyers.
Last week, the lawyers Christopher Ram and Selwyn Pieters, engaged in a heated exchange during a session of the public hearing.
Ram, who is also President of the Guyana Bar Association, (GBA) had voiced his discontent with the 30-minute restriction imposed on him in cross examination and the numerous unnecessary interruptions by the other Attorneys while doing so.
Ram reportedly did not receive a satisfactory response from the committee and stormed out of the Commission after telling the panel that the Bar Association was no longer interested in being a part of the Inquiry.
In a lengthy statement to the press, “The Committee noted that it feels perforce to issue the statement as a corrective to any imbalance that may have ensued as a result of press reports concerning events at the hearing on April 20, 2016 last.”
The Commission noted that it has been limited, understandably, by time constraints for reasons which are well publicized, for the conclusion of its mandate in a matter of weeks henceforth.
“Unfortunately, Counsel on both sides of the Bar table ostensibly in pursuit of the interests of their respective clients, have rebelled against the imposition of time constraints imposed by the Commission,” the statement added.
However, the committee noted that the proceedings, unfortunately, have given rise for what we know in the dialect as “grandstanding.”
In the case of Mr. Selwyn Pieters, Counsel for the Joint Services and Fire Service, the committee noted that liberties were taken, ferried away by his enthusiasm and made statements which, by any objective view, constitute a breach in civility and an affront to the Commission.
However, Pieters is said to have approached the Chairman Justice James Patterson and profusely apologised for his violation.
“The apology was unconditional and was well received”
Mr. Ram, on the other hand, the Commission said, routinely displayed a degree of irritability when his extravagant demands were disallowed.
“His routine unwillingness to abide by the rulings of the Chairman has been outrageous. Mr. Christopher Ram automatically reflects his displeasure by displaying the tantrums of a five-year-old who cannot get his own way on the ball field.”
“This he did on the 20th March, 2016 ultima by throwing tantrums and slamming the door to the COI Hearings Room and made off with his bat and ball because he was not allowed to bat first.
“That degree of petulance and disrespect I have not seen in nearly fifty-five years of practice since my call to the English Bar,” the statement added.
According to the Committee, Ram who appeared for the Bar Association as an interested party obtained “Good standing” from the Commission to conduct his brief. However, Ram routinely displayed a degree of petulance when his extravagant demands were disallowed and an unwillingness to abide by the rulings of the Chairman has been outrageous.
He added that Ram’s conduct, widely reported in the press reflects the very lowest point of ethical display in the practice of what has always been known as ‘the noble profession’, a Barrister/Attorney-at-law.
“I have deliberately juxtaposed Mr. Christopher Ram’s response to that of Mr. Selwyn Pieters for ease of reference and consideration.
“On being called to the Bar in London each quondam student was presented with a copy of “A guide to conduct and etiquette at the Bar of England and Wales”. I still have my 1961 edition for onward transition to my offspring. We, members of the local Bar, have inherited those traditions as part of our DNA.”
“It is unfortunate that practitioners like Mr. Christopher Ram have traduced this glorious heritage and lofty in exchange for the standards and mores of a cad and bounder,” the Chairman emphasized.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]