AMYA Manu, a resident of the West Bank of Demerara, in Region Three, was on Thursday admitted to the local bar to practice as an attorney-at-law in the courts of Guyana.

Described as a committed person who has a serious attitude towards the work she was assigned, Manu’s petition was presented by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack before acting Chief Justice, Navindra Singh, at the High Court in Georgetown.

The DPP underscored Manu’s exemplary record of academic achievements, which started at the Bagotsville Nursery School. She then continued her education at the Genesis Early Childhood Education Centre and the St. Margaret’s Primary School before moving on to the St. Rose’s High School in 2012. She wrote 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level after which she attended The Bishops’ High School where she wrote eight units at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

Her academic journey did not stop there. Manu with a burning dedication for self-development, then pursued her legal studies at the University of Guyana, where she later graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

IN 2023, she continued her studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, completing the law programme earlier this year.

Aside from academics, Manu completed five weeks in-service training stints at the DPP’s office and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

DPP Ali-Hack stated that during her time, Manu was willing to learn, and she applied herself and put a lot of effort into excelling in research and writing.

“She always tried her best to do her work, and she enjoyed her stint at the chambers so much that she returned to chambers this year after returning home and has since been there as a Legal Assistant pending the receipt of the Legal Education Certificate and her admission to the bar,” the DPP stated.

Addressing the court, Manu expressed a heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, co-workers and everyone who would have supported her in her journey.

“My journey to this moment began in the St. Rose’s High School, when I was placed in the Art and Humanities stream. I truly had envisioned myself becoming a vet, owing to the love for animals, but the Almighty knows best,” she said.

Additionally, Manu expressed her commitment to performing her duties as an Attorney-at-law diligently and ethically.

Following her statement, her application for admission was formally granted by Chief Justice Singh, and she was officially welcomed to the Bar of Guyana.

In his address, Chief Justice Singh told Manu that on taking her oath and being admitted to practice law, she also takes on the social calling of a prosecutor, representing the state in the administration of criminal justice.

“In that role, you will yield great power, as soon as you’re admitted, and bear an even greater responsibility. You will stand, not for victory but for fairness. Your duty is not to secure convictions, but to ensure that justice is done, and seen to be done without fear, favour of affection or ill-will. The prosecutor’s highest duty is to the truth. You present your evidence, as best as you could, as best as it came to you, and you try to convince the jury that this is a true representation of the events that unfolded,” he advised.

Chief Justice Singh continued, “You will soon learn the court room is a place of human stories, especially in your role as a State Prosecutor. Some stories will be tragic; some will be inspiring. Your decisions on how you present your cases can profoundly affect lives of others. Exercise your discretion, visibility, and compassion. Remember that behind every one of those files that you will hold is a person or persons, sometimes a victim seeking redress. There’s also an accused entitled to a fair trial. And a society and a public that depends on your integrity to preserve trust in the justice system. Therefore, your conduct must be beyond the reproach. The court and the public must be able to rely on your honesty and diligence and know that you are fair. Prepare your cases thoroughly, disclose what the law requires when you appear before the court. Execute your duties with respect to your colleagues even though some of them may not show you the same respect. You will eventually be recognised for your performance.”