Former Chief Justice Ian Chang passes

Nov 17, 2019 News

Former Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang, passed yesterday following a period of prolonged illness. He was 69.
Relatives of the judge confirmed last evening that he passed away at the Balwant Singh Hospital in Georgetown. He had been

Former CJ Ian Chang.

battling cancer for some time.
Messages of condolences to the family poured in as news of his death spread. Those in the legal fraternity were especially saddened by the news and expressed their heartfelt sympathies. Chang was a former Director of Public Prosecution, (DPP) later served as a Justice of Appeal,(J.A) before he was appointed Chief Justice (CJ) from 2000 until December 2015, when he headed into retirement.
During his distinct service, Chang also served as a State counsel. According to DPP Shalimar Ali –Hack, the former CJ served the people of Guyana with legal prowess.
She expressed her deepest regret at the passing of nation’s former Chief Justice whom she described as one of the great legal minds and illustrious sons of the Guyana Bar.
“He has left us a legacy particularly at the criminal bar. He was one of my first mentors from whom I learnt a great deal. I am grateful for having had the opportunity of working with him.
Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that his thoughts and prayers are with those closest to Chang during this period of bereavement.
“If there was a person in my time that was truly dedicated to, and loved the law, it was Ian Neville Chang SC., former Acting DPP, former Justice of Appeal and Retired Acting Chief Justice.”
In a lengthy Facebook post Nandlall added, “Personally, I know of none who worshipped more dedicatedly at the altar of the law than him; neither do I know a more voracious reader of the law than him.”
“Every lawyer knew that there was one person to whom they can turn at any hour, day or night, for assistance or guidance on any issue in the law, that person was Justice Chang. He never refused such a request. Indeed it excited him and made it his personal assignment or challenge.”
According to the former Attorney General, Chang rose to the pinnacle in his profession, he remained unusually humble and exceptionally accessible.
“The power, authority and grandeur of office neither impressed nor changed him.
“He always believed that one should use “intellect” rather than “power “of office. His humility, simplicity and cavalier approach sometimes invoke the ire of his judicial colleagues but he remained steadfastly unbothered.
“To him, the law was his only master, which he served with unflinching devotion.”
He was special. His pedigree does not come frequently. The void that he has left will perhaps not be filled in my lifetime.”

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