GUYANA’S justice system has increased in human capacity, with the admission of Ms. Ariana Ramdharie to the bar. Ramdharie recently petitioned before Madam Justice Nicola Pierre at the High Court of Guyana to practise law in Guyana.
In her petition on Friday last, Ms. Ramdharie reflected on her journey to becoming a lawyer.
Born and raised in the small community of Canal, Region Three, she has described herself as a confident and outgoing child growing up. This changed for her when she began her secondary education at Queen’s College where she was surrounded by some of Guyana’s brightest minds. Intimidation eventually stepped in.
Once confident, she slowly retreated into her shell, becoming a shy and timid version of herself.
“Throughout high school, I struggled to figure out where I fit in. At the young and completely clueless age of 17, I was required to choose a career path. I chose law, and by some stroke of luck, it clicked perfectly like the missing piece of a puzzle. Suddenly, I was being forced to think critically and ask questions to uncover different perspectives on issues. I was fascinated by the way law shapes society and, equally, the way society shapes the law.valued the way law can be used in service of others to make a meaningful difference in their lives,” she told the court.
By the time she was ready to pursue her law degree, Ramdharie was certain that this field was the right path for her.
The newly minted attorney-at-law said that on one hand, spots at the Hugh Wooding Law School were limited (one in 25), and on the other, pursuing a legal education came with financial challenges she wasn’t sure her family would be able to bear.
“There were many moments of uncertainty when the dream of law school felt out of reach and distant. So, when, against all odds, I graduated second in my class at the University of Guyana, received my acceptance letter from Hugh Wooding Law School and somehow managed to secure my tuition fees at the very last moment, I knew that the opportunity before me was one I could never afford to take for granted,” she said.
Attending law school was another experience on its own. There were sleepless nights, tears, and sacrifices, but they also brought invaluable lessons, meaningful friendships, and moments of joy.
Ramdharie shared that what kept her encouraged in the most difficult times was the knowledge that although she was the one showing up for classes, doing the assignments, and sitting the examinations, she was never making the journey alone.
“I was carried by the love, encouragement, sacrifices and support of so many persons,” she said.
Acknowledging God, even in times when her faith in him wavered, she extended thanks to her parents, sister, grandparents, and aunts and uncles, as well as the team at her first job at SocialRank, her friends, classmates, teachers and mentors who helped her along the way to becoming not just a better student of the law, but a better future attorney.
She told Justice Pierre, “Your Honour, people are always surprised to hear that Real Property was my favourite course at UG, but I credit that in large part to Your Honour’s teaching. I am also grateful for Your Honour’s mentorship in the Battle of the Titans Moot Competition.”
Ramdharie further said that she is conscious that being called to the bar is the beginning of a responsibility. According to her, law is a profession built on trust.
“Clients trust us with their problems, their livelihoods, their families and sometimes with the most difficult moments of their lives. I do not take that responsibility lightly,” Ramdharie said before emphasising, “I pledge to uphold the high ethical standards of this profession, to serve my clients diligently and to always remember that behind every file is a person who deserves to be heard and represented with care.”
