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News from the Caribbean as of
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Trinidad's Chief Justice steps down from judicial duties
Thursday, July 27, 2006
by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad's embattled Chief Justice, Satnarine Sharma, has bowed to pressure, saying he has decided to step down from performing any judicial duties until his application for judicial review is heard.
Chief Justice Sharma has been charged with perverting the course of public justice relative to the Basdeo Panday trial but cannot be arrested because of having secured an injunction by the High Court. He is claiming that attempts to arrest him are politically motivated. His application for judicial review in the matter is due to be heard in October.
Justice Sharma's decision to step aside came less than a day after Trinidad and Tobago's president, George Maxwell Richards announced to the nation that he would act, describing the situation as a deep and urgent crisis.
The nation's Chief Justice in a statement on Wednesday said, however, he was not resigning, opting only to perform administrative duties, that is to say he would not preside over any court matters.
The decision also follows rumours that strong executive action against the Chief Justice was being planned in the form of impeachment proceedings or possibly the declaration of a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, attorneys for the Police Commissioner and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions have also filed for a review of two court orders which prevent and restrain the police from arresting Chief Justice Sharma.
Attorneys went to the High Court on Wednesday seeking that the injunction or court orders be lifted. Justices Ivor Archie, Margo Warner and Wendell Kangallo presided over the hearing. That matter was adjourned to be heard on Thursday July 27.
And the nation's head of state, President Richards, is expected soon to detail what course of action will be taken in light of the situation. Following an address on Tuesday he said : "I am faced with a series of unprecedented events in which urgent action must be taken in defence of the rule of law and the administration of justice in the Republic..."
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