While she is being criticized for conferring “silk” to her brother and husband, President Christine Kangaloo has maintained that her office does not select attorneys to be appointed as senior counsel.
Seventeen attorneys were awarded silk as Senior Counsel, including Kangaloo’s husband Kerwyn Garcia and her brother Colin Kangaloo.
During the ceremony at President’s House in Port-of-Spain yesterday afternoon, President Kangaloo sought to outline the procedure for appointments.
She said the Attorney General first invites senior attorneys, who have distinguished themselves in the profession, to apply for the honour, then the AG consults with the Chief Justice and other stakeholders before discussing the applications with the Prime Minister, who advises the President on who should be appointed.
Kangaloo said, “At the end of the process, the President—whoever he or she may be— acts in accordance with Section 80 Sub-section 1 of the Constitution, and, on an occasion like today, formally confers senior counsel status to those upon whom he or she has been advised to do so.”
President Kangaloo also sought to advise the recipients of their new roles and responsibilities in the legal profession.
“Like so many other professions, the sustainability and the advancement of the legal profession depend on the leadership, mentorship and apprenticeship that are offered and provided by those whose induction into the ranks of leadership we have witnessed today,” she said.
“You have all worked extremely hard, year after year, in matters and in circumstances that have challenged and stretched you to the limits of your professional abilities, and today, your profession recognises and celebrates your efforts,” the President said.
In addition to Garcia and President Kangaloo’s brother, the other recipients included Independent Senator Anthony Vieira; Angostura Holdings Ltd chairman Terrence Bharath; Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd chairman Michael Quamina; Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Joan Honore-Paul; Police Service Commission (PSC) member Rajiv Persad; Ronnie Bissessar; Rishi Dass; Ida Eversley; John Heath; Larry Lalla; Leslie-Ann Lucky-Samaroo; Jason Mootoo; Ravi Rajcoomar; Dipnarine Rampersad; and Bernard Shepherd.