– AG chambers wants PSAT chairman to recuse self

THE Public Service Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday heard the application filed on March 7, 2018 by former Deputy Solicitor General of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ms. Prithima Kissoon.

In her application, Ms Kissoon alleges that she was wrongfully terminated by the Public Service Commission in breach of her right to a fair hearing and rules of natural justice.
Former Justice of Appeal, Mr. Nandram Kissoon, who is Chairman of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (PSAT) and Ms Kissoon’s uncle, presided over the proceedings.
Thereupon, the AG Chambers issued a release stating that in keeping with the old adage that “not only must Justice be done but it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”, Ms. Oneka Archer-Caulder and Ms Judy Stuart-Adonis, representing the State, have made an application that the Chairman, Mr. Nandram Kissoon and uncle to the Appellant (Prithima Kissoon) do recuse himself on the grounds of bias.

The AG Chambers said in its release that Mr. Kissoon has acknowledged that he is indeed the uncle of the Appellant, but is insisting that the State file an affidavit in answer with submissions addressing the issue of bias.

The matter comes up for hearing again on April 24, 2018 at 14:30h.
The AG Chambers has said that it is worth noting that Ms. Prithima Kissoon filed proceedings, not so long ago, in October, 2017, in the High Court for the identical reliefs as those in which she is currently seeking before the Appellate Tribunal. “Premised on this fact, Ms. Archer-Caulder expressed her concern to the Tribunal that appears that the Appellant may be forum shopping,” the release concluded. Ms. Kissoon was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Nigel Hughes.