The president of the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association warned that the country’s criminal bar is shrinking and struggling to attract young lawyers, as he paid tribute to the late Sir Gerald Watt KC at the former Speaker’s official funeral.
“You can count on one hand the number of lawyers in Antigua whose practice is substantially criminal,” Bar Association President Dr. Lenworth Johnson said, describing the situation as a serious concern for the administration of justice.
Johnson said most young attorneys show little interest in criminal practice and that those who do often retreat after an initial attempt. “Most, if not all, young attorneys have no interest in entering the field,” he said. “Some tentatively take a step and eventually pull back.”
He said the challenges of criminal law are well known. “Criminal practice is tough and emotional, and one needs the right mindset,” Johnson said, adding that the profession and state authorities have yet to find an effective way to significantly increase the number of lawyers working at the criminal bar.
Johnson said the Bar Association should engage the Attorney General, Stedroy Benjamin, himself a former leading criminal attorney, to help chart a way forward. “I accept that the bar needs to sit down with Mr. Stedroy Benjamin … to devise a solution to the problem,” he said. “I think that would be a fitting tribute.”
The remarks were delivered during the official funeral of Sir Gerald Watt, whom Johnson described as “an outstanding advocate of the criminal bar.”
Johnson said Sir Gerald’s career illustrated the level of commitment needed to sustain criminal practice. Over more than 60 years, he said, Sir Gerald filed at least 180 cases in the High Court and made more than 500 criminal applications, many of which became leading cases.
“He was fearless in the fight for justice for his client, no matter who stood in his way,” Johnson said, recalling a case in which Sir Gerald successfully sued another attorney for professional negligence after a client’s claim failed because a key legal doctrine was not pleaded.
Johnson said Sir Gerald’s legacy should serve as a call to action for the legal profession. “In Sir Gerald’s memory and honor, we in the Bar Association, along with the Attorney General, need to do all we can to encourage young lawyers to enter the criminal scene,” he said.
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That’s not where the money is. They’re going where the money is.
Defending criminals and especially doing so successfully is for bragging rights, but they cannot pay.
And only the poor ones go on trial.
You need those with genuine love for law and not for money. People who are bold enough to start their own practice out of law school instead of going to work for the government and other firms. Someone who have given out over 250,000 business cards by themself. Someone with intense love for humanity and is fine eating Ramen noodles, if that must be done to help others. Someone with utmost respect for God.
Someone who loves criminal procedure, criminal law and evidence. Someone who will speak the truth even when their life is threatened and their right to protect their life is taken from them after firearms permit is expired. Someone who goes above and beyond.
Oh yeah ?
Most of the lawyers in Antigua are glorified CPA’s who only counts money not service.
Many are probably sad that the CBI monies are on a go slow.
They know what the problem is. They are just lip service.
Cutie Benjamin talked about that very thing a year ago.
Just talk No action
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