Facilitated by first non-white judge in England…

A timely one–day seminar/workshop focusing on judicial ethics and targeting practising judges in the Supreme Court was held Thursday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Plantation Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The training was hosted by the British High Commission in association with the Office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and had as its facilitator Mrs. Linda Dodds, the first non-white to hold the post of judge in England.

Sharing the head table with Justice Dodds were British High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler, Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh, and Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang.
Justice Dodds has for the last 15 years been involved in international pro-bono as both a lawyer and currently a judge. She has also advised, assisted, participated and put together legal training in the areas of  professional ethics, judicial ethics, human rights, money laundering/asset seizure, corruption, criminal law and procedure,  advocacy training and judge-craft, a bio-data on her stated.

She is a contributing and consultant editor to a number of legal publications, has lectured extensively to university and law students, magistrates, police and other professionals on various aspects of the law, including the criminal justice system, criminal and human rights law, professional conduct and ethics both in this country and abroad.

Justice Dodds has also taken part in advocacy training for young lawyers both here and abroad and has also been involved in the preparation and organisation of training seminars.

Thursday’s seminar/workshop has its genesis in a March 2008 visit to Guyana by British Judge John Sessions to assist in the drafting of the sexual violence legislation and subsequent discussions with Chancellor Singh and Frazer Wheeler.

The British Government has over the years been making a tremendous contribution to assisting the Guyana Government in seeking to reform the judicial system.

The training also comes hot on the heels of the recent announcement by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh’s announcement during the budget presentation in the National Assembly  of Government’s plan to this year transform this country’s judicial system, as part of the overall reform and modernisation of the Judiciary.

In opening remarks, Chancellor Justice Carl Singh said that in the absence of an organised structure unit in the country that caters for continuing judicial education, he views the training as a “timely” intervention.

He pointed out that from time to time, judges have attended seminars and conferences on various areas of practice law.
In her introductory remarks to the judges, before the media was asked to leave, Justice Dodds spoke of the need for continuous judicial training in the interest of both the judiciary and the public.

Noting that worldwide judges are increasingly being subjected to scrutiny for either the right or wrong reasons, she said as a result of such scrutiny, some judges have been summarily removed from their positions in some countries, while others, due to continuous threats, have had to flee the country where they practised.

In addition, judges have also been pillored in the media, and with transparency being a buzzword and the fact that gone are the days when justice is being dispensed behind closed doors, Justice Dodds said with such phenomenal pressures in the courtroom, it behoves them as judges to be above reproach as they go about their respective duties.

To this end, she emphasised that it is the right of the public to expect efficiency and fairness, and implored the judges to let the performance of their duties reflect such traits.
Remarking that no longer are lawyers allowed to control activities in the courtroom while capricious judges sit on the bench, Justice Dodds reminded the judges in attendance that they are duty-bound to know the law and keep abreast with any changes.

Additionally, they, as judges, have their work cut out with the long court list, outstanding judgments and the having to keep abreast with the amending of legislations and other issues, such as assisting their colleagues.

In brief remarks, the British High Commissioner expressed his appreciation to Justice Dodds for accepting the opportunity within a week’s notice, adding that before she came here, she also convened sessions in Jamaica and Barbados.

It was High Commissioner Wheeler and wife Sarah who facilitated the training session.

Yesterday, practising magistrates also benefited from the experienced Justice Dodds.

CAPTION  ( photo courtesy of  British High Commission )
1.   ( photo saved in Graphics as Justice Linda Dodds )
2. The Supreme Court Judges in attendance at the seminar/workshop ( photo saved in Graphics as  a section of the judges )