TWENTY-seven-year old Guyanese lawyer, Ms. Kelly-Ann Michala Payne, who had been practicing in Barbados and the British Virgin Islands since her graduation in September last year was yesterday admitted to the Guyana Bar by Justice William Ramlal.

Justice Ramlal and Raphael Trotman are seen in Chambers with Attorney-at –Law Kelly-Ann Michala Payne

Her petition was presented by Attorney-at-aw Mr. Raphael Trotman, who urged Judge Ramlal to admit the new entrant to the Bar.

Judge Ramlal told Payne that her first duty and obligation were to the Court.

According to him, irrespective of whether she was representing the prosecution or the defence, her business was not to wrestle for a conviction for the prosecution, nor an acquittal at all costs if she was for the defence. She must at all times strive for justice.

In all he told her that she must walk the straight and narrow path.

Ms. Payne daughter of Mrs. Jennifer Payne Alleyne (nee Clarke) and Mr. Felix Payne, of Sparendaam, East Coast, Demerara, attended St. Joseph High School from 1994 to 1999, where she obtained six subjects at the 1990 sitting of the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) examinations.

She was admitted to the Law Programme of the University of Guyana in 2002.

In 2005, she was awarded a Bachelor of Laws Degree graduating with credit.

During her course of Study at the University of Guyana, she was a member of the Publications Committee, University of Guyana Law Society, and contributed to the publishing of the Law Yearbook 2002.

After completing her studies at the University of Guyana, she proceeded to Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 to commence reading for her Legal Education Certificate at the Hugh Wooding Law School and in October she was awarded the Legal Education Certificate.

Payne was admitted to the Barbados Bar in October 2008 and in the British Virgin Islands in November, 2008.

In reply Miss Payne thanked the judge for his kind advice and Mr. Trotman for presenting her Petition for admission to the Bar.

She assured all that she would work steadfastly to uphold the high traditions of the bar and to live up to expectations.

The new lawyer and her relatives were entertained in the judge’s Chambers following the ceremony.