AS the much anticipated JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas project progresses, Nations University Guyana is likely to participate in talks on the road to the local law school coming to fruition.This was disclosed on Monday after Attorney General, Basil Williams met with representatives of Nations University, including its Director, Dr Brian O’Toole and Simon Askey, Director, Undergraduate Laws Pogramme, at the University of London. Ashe Singh, Head of the Law Department at Nations University also attended the meeting.

Nations University offers a tutorial support programme for the University of London’s (UOL) Law Degree or LLB (Literally Legum Baccalaureus) at its Georgetown campus in New Market Street.

During a press briefing, Williams said that committees have been set-up regarding the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School, and according to him, there is nothing which bars O’Toole from sitting on his side at committee meetings.

Williams reiterated that the entire approach to the establishment of the legal institution here stems from the difficulties the University of Guyana students encounter, regarding acceptance into the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad. He said that the alternative arrangement was also green-lighted several years ago and according to him, following the recent launch of the project several committees have been set-up regarding the JOF Haynes Law School.

He sits alongside the Attorney-General of Jamaica Marlene Malahoo Forte on one committee; representatives of the Cayman Islands’ University College of the Caribbean (UCC) and the Law School of the Americas (LSA) on another committee; and another possible committee would include the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana along with UG representatives.

Williams said he would have to discuss the possibility of Nations University partaking in the discussions with the project partners before the latter can officially partake in the project. O’Toole noted that some 15 years ago, Nations University formed partnerships with overseas-based tertiary institutions and two years later, the institution established a relationship with the University of London and commenced offering law the programme.”We started offering a variety of degrees from London right here“, O’Toole said.

He noted that one of the reasons for meeting the AG on Monday was that some 55 persons are currently pursuing the LLB programme offered by the University of London here in Guyana via Nations University and not much is said publicly of the programme.

He said too that the university plans to meet with the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin soon, as well as the Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, this week to discuss its plans. The institution is also planning to meet with President David Granger.

Askey said that he was at the launch recently in Jamaica for the collaborative project.

He said that the project will open doors for law students here, including those attached to Nations University. “I think it’s a great opportunity for your own country to have its own law school”, Askey said.
He said too that the collaboration brings hope for students, as he acknowledged the issues UG law students encounter in furthering their studies at the Hugh Wooding law school.