24 June 2019
The formal opening of the St Helena Supreme Court took place at 10am today, Monday 24 June 2019.
The opening commenced as His Lordship, the Chief Justice, Charles Ekins Esq, entered the Courthouse accompanied by the Sheriff of St Helena, Mrs Ethel Yon OBE, Bishop Dale Bowers, and Chief Magistrate, Nicholas Aldridge. Lawyers, Justices of the Peace, officials, and members of the public were also in attendance.
Acting Attorney General, Allen Cansick, welcomed the Lord Chief Justice and introduced members of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Public Solicitor’s Office, Lay Advocates and the Probation Service to the Supreme Court and welcomed back Andrew Jackson of Counsel. He further expressed the commitment of Government to the effective administration of justice.
This was followed by an address from the Chief Justice. In his address the Chief Justice acknowledged the successful completion by Ms Kerrie Johnson and Mr Alwyn Thomas of their respective training contracts in the Attorney General’s Chambers.
The Chief Justice said:
“I am very pleased to note the successful completion by Ms Kerrie Johnson and Mr Alwyn Thomas of their respective training contracts. It is a measure of how far, in this respect, St Helena has developed since I was appointed Chief Justice that we are now able to nurture and foster young talent to fruition ourselves here on St Helena.”
The Chief Justice then noted the departure of two Lay Advocates and urged members of the community to service the community as Lay Advocates.
The Chief Justice concluded:
“My vigorous support for the Lay Advocatory is a matter of record. It enables an access to justice here on St Helena to an extent that is rare elsewhere in the world.
“I know that my remarks on the opening of the St Helena Supreme Court are frequently broadcast on local radio and, if this occurs on this occasion, I have no hesitation or embarrassment of taking this opportunity of urging members of our community here who feel they have an aptitude to act as Lay Advocates, to come forward to serve the community in that vital role. A role which, I’m sure the Lay Advocates will confirm, offers considerable interest and satisfaction.”
The St Helena Supreme Court will continue until Friday, 5 July 2019.
#StHelena #ChiefJustice #SupremeCourt #FormalOpening
https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt
SHG
24 June 2019