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Feb 24, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
I would like to say congratulations to Mr. Clinton Mortimer Llewellyn John, Attorney-at-law, who this year would be celebrating 62 years as a Practicing Attorney. He was called to practice law in the year 1952 as a Solicitor.
In his capacity as a Solicitor, he was involved as a leading member of the League of Colored People, then headed by Dr. Denbow, deceased. I can recall the annual fair that used to be held in Kingston. Later, he became involved in Politics and served once as a Minister of Home Affairs and also as a Minister of Local Government. During this period, he also represented lots of poor people who otherwise could not afford to pay for legal representation. There are many, many decisions in various aspects of the Law that he figured in.
Mr. John decided to become a Barrister-at-law rather than to remain a Solicitor. In this regard he went to England and became a Member of one of the INNS of Court so as to be called to the Bar in England. As he joined the INNS of Court, he was told that he had to take and pass the examination.
Being a very keen student he did some research on the matter and submitted his finding to the Bar Council in the United Kingdom and his submissions were accepted and therefore he was accepted, based on his qualifications and Legal experience as a Lawyer and admitted as a Barrister.
This is the first occasion that a Solicitor from the British Commonwealth was ever accepted as a Barrister-at-law without having to write and pass an examination.
In this regard, he has made history. After being admitted as a Barrister-at-law and attending the requisite number of dinners, he came back to Guyana and was involved in the practice of law. He became President of the Bar Association in 1970:- He also became very knowledgeable in Municipal Law and as a result was recruited by the Government of Grenada to write the Municipal Laws of Grenada.
I mention all this to ask the question how is it Mr. John was never appointed as Senior Counsel. Next year he will be 90 years old and as far as I know is the most Senior Counsel in Guyana: Surprisingly in the year 1952 when he was admitted as a Solicitor, four young Guyanese were admitted as Barrister-at-law: Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, Mr. Bryan Pollard, Sir. Shridath Ramphal and Frederick Wills. Strangely, all four had an LL.M and become Senior Counsel. Everyone knows of their outstanding ability. Mr. C.M.L. John has matching ability but unfortunately has never been selected to become a Senior Counsel.
I ask the question what is the basis upon which a lawyer becomes a SENIOR COUNSEL. My understanding is that a lawyer has to demonstrate his ability to explain the law as well as showing and demonstrating good ethical behavior. In Barbados, lawyers are selected based on public representation of the Lawyers standing on the profession.
I ask the question what is the basis in Guyana for appointing a Lawyer or SENIOR COUNSEL. I would like the question to be answered, because I would like to know what else Mr. C.M.L John has to do to be appointed as SENIOR COUNSEL. If Guyana has the answer then let the public know.
Jonas M.F.Coddett,
Attorney-at-law
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
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