Thirteen attorneys will be elevated to the rank of Senior Counsel later today (Monday 17 June, 2024).
While the full list has yet to be revealed, an unconfirmed list which was circulated on Saturday indicated that 11 attorneys were to receive silk, including former National Alliance for Reconstruction minister Anthony Smart, Energy Minister Stuart Young and Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi.
Yesterday, both Port-of-Spain South MP Keith Scotland and WASA chairman Ravi Nanga confirmed that they are also on the list to receive silk.
Others tipped to receive silk today include Simon de La Bastide, Hasine Shaikh, Justin Phelps, Prakash Deonarine, Elaine Greene and Lee Merry.
The head of the Criminal Bar Association Israel Khan, SC, expressed concern about Al-Rawi’s selection.
Khan said while Minister Young is deserving of silk due to his “reputation, merit, ability, and integrity,” he questioned Minister Al-Rawi’s silk.
“There is a problem hanging over the head of Al-Rawi in relation to the indemnity agreement with King’s Counsel Vincent Nelson that he entered into to prosecute former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, and the present AG had indicated publicly that he would reveal at the appropriate time the significance of that indemnity agreement, so that is hanging over his head,” he said
Khan said unless Al-Rawi is cleared of all wrongdoing, there will be a blot on the whole process of awarding silk.
The official invitation from the President’s House for today’s ceremony states: “On the advice of the Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, President Christine Carla Kangaloo will present instruments of appointment to thirteen attorneys to the rank of Senior Counsel on Monday, June 17, 2.30 pm at the President’s House.”