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L-R ..... Wilkinson, Clyne-Edwards, Alexis |
Three lawyers have been elevated from the Utter Bar to the Inner Bar after having been conferred with the prestigious title of Queen's Counsel (QC).
The local law fraternity turned out in their numbers last week Thursday to honour their colleagues - Ernest Wilkinson, Dr. Francis Alexis, and Celia Clyne Edwards - during a special sitting of the High Court that was jointly presided over by Madam Justice Clare Henry, and Francis Cumberbatch.
Wilkinson who has given over 40 years of service in the legal profession was presented by Russel Martineau, a Senior Counsel from Trinidad and Tobago.
Both Dr. Alexis and Clyne-Edwards who individually served the local jurisdiction for close to 25 years were presented by Queen's Counsel, Karl Hudson-Phillips from Trinidad and Tobago.
The trio who were appointed as QC's on August 7, bring the number of local QC's to 11 over a 55-year period.
Justice Henry who invited the three attorneys to proceed to the Inner Bar where they were robed in Silk exhorted them to honour the professional code of conduct.
"As you take your place in the Inner Bar let it be a time of renewed dedication, not just to the profession, but also to the community and the wider society. Let your time at the Inner Bar be marked by the kind of leadership, leadership by example," she said.
Justice Cumberbatch also joined his senior judge in admonishing the new QC's.
He said the new status that they have now acquired brings with it enormous responsibilities and reminded them that they have now become role models to members of the Utter Bar.
"The privileges to which you are entitled are wide and varying," he added.
Hudson-Phillips said it seems now that Grenada has a fair compliment of leaders of the Bar.
Wilkinson was called to the Bar of England and Wales on June 23, 1964.
On his return from England to Grenada he was appointed to the Office of Registrar of the Supreme Court of Grenada.
He also served as Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of the Windward and Leeward Islands, and Registrar of the Court of Appeal.
The newly installed QC was the first Registrar to be appointed in February 1967 to the Office as Chief Registrar of the West Indies Associated State Supreme Court.
Dr. Alexis, a former Attorney General and Law Lecturer, obtained his Doctorate from the University of Cambridge, England.
Having created history at an early stage in life by being the first female to win the local island scholarship, Clyne-Edwards continues to shine in her chosen profession.
The female attorney has now distinguished herself by being the first female to be elevated as Queen's Counsel not only in the local jurisdiction, but within the Windward Islands.
Clyne-Edwards is a graduate of University of Toronto, and the Hugh Wooding Law School of the University of the West Indies.
The honoured attorneys have thrown out a challenge to their junior colleagues to work hard, respect the court and the law so that in time they too will become a QC.
