–President Ali says, as Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson appointed chairperson

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday emphasised the importance of a functioning Law Reform Commission in the building out of a modern Guyana during the swearing in of a new chairperson of the commission.

The Head of State said: “Guyana’s current and future development ties into the need for modern legislation,” especially since the advancement of partnerships and cooperation between companies and countries must be done on the right legal basis.

Laws, he added, are necessary to advance, support and protect the development process.

The President spoke about the dynamic and ever-changing nature of society and the need to make necessary reforms to the legislative architecture to protect the explosive development and to be responsive to modern justice demands.

“This Law Reform Commission is critical to what we are doing as a developing country,” Dr Ali said.

He told the commission members, including new Chairperson, Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson, that “there is a lot of work ahead.”

The commission, he added, has the authority to make recommendations for new legislation and amendments, allowing the country to keep abreast with developments while supporting a modern legal framework.

Dodson, who will serve as chair for the next three years, previously served as a member of the commission under the chairmanship of Retired Justice of the Appeal Court, Beasraj Singh Roy.
Additionally, President Ali administered the Oath of Office to former Member of Parliament and indigenous rights advocate, Lenox Shuman, who will also serve the Law Reform Commission for three years.

In extending his congratulations to Dodson and Shuman, President Ali underscored his confidence in the commission continuing its work and delivering exemplary service.

He said with the years of experience and skills of the commissioners combined, Guyana can return to being a celebrated country in the legal sector. The members, he said, are well positioned to deliver what is required of them to make their work impressionable.

The other Commissioners are Teni Housty, Deenawati Panday and Clarissa Riehl. They were sworn in on August 11, 2021.

The Law Reform Commission in Guyana is a crucial entity responsible for the regular updating and alignment of the country’s laws with global legislative trends.

Its responsibilities encompass prioritising and establishing a programme for legal reforms, preventing legislative stagnation, and serving the executive and national interest.

The Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2021 – No. 2 of 2021 received Presidential Assent on February 16, 2021, thereby allowing persons who hold a variety of qualifications to sit on the commission.

These amendments broadened the qualifications for commission members, allowing individuals with diverse expertise to contribute to the legal-reform process.