Inappropriate Judicial Behaviour

As a former Judge I was and am appalled and shocked upon reading in two daily newspapers a “so called leaked letter” containing the views of a judge on being, correctly, refused permission to attend a course in Germany.

Office of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago

The Guardian says it “obtained” the letter, the Express said that they received it. The pertinent questions are: Who in the Judiciary sent /leaked the letter to the newspapers? Why are the Law Association and Southern Assembly of Lawyers silent in this matter where the President of the country is also attacked? This is a serious matter where internal letters to the Chief Justice, judges and the President “reach” the media and it is not the first time. Sir who is doing this? If the Law Association is serious why is it silent? Why is the Southern Assembly of Lawyers silent? Does it mean that these legal bodies agree with such letters being leaked to the media? The time has come to act against this type of behaviour. We cannot ask the media how and who is sending copies of these letters because it will scream press freedom and confidentiality. Then we must ask the author of the letter if he is responsible for the leak. If he says no then who is??? If he says yes then he would be bringing the judiciary into disrepute and must be suspended and an inquiry by a tribunal should be initiated. The Law Association and Southern Assembly of Lawyers and attorneys who adhere to the smooth running of justice and independence of the judiciary have to put an end to this judicial mischief by a few or there will be a collapse of the independent institutions in the country . Finally if a judge is aggrieved by the decision of the President and the Chief Justice it is unbecoming and inappropriate of the judge to “appeal” to the media If, and I hope not, it is a member of the judiciary then such member must go.