The group wants the Association to ﾓpetition the Prime Minister to request the Governor General to appoint a tribunal to investigate the removal of Justice of Appeal Dame Sawyer pursuant to Article 102 (6) of the Constitution on the grounds of unfitness and or misbehaviour.ﾒ
The proposal calls for the Association to condemn recent remarks made by Dame Joan ﾓwhich call into question the integrity of Supreme Court Justice Thompson.ﾒ
The Court of Appeal President reportedly chastised Justice Thompson recently, after issuing a ruling that overturned her decision to grant bail to alleged drug trafficker Austin Knowles and four of his alleged co-conspirators.
ﾓThe Bar Association affirms its continued confidence in Justice Thompson and in her ability to discharge her duties as a judge fearlessly and without favour, in the service of the public and the administration of justice,ﾒ the proposed resolution reads.
ﾓThe Bar Association also condemns the derogatory personal remarks made from the bench of the Court of Appeal to counsel in the course of their presentation before that court; and regrets the adverse effect such conduct has on proceedings before the Court of Appeal.ﾒ
The lawyers want to have the proposed resolution debated at the Associationﾴs annual general meeting today.
But Bar Association President Wayne Munroe told the Journal last night the soﾖcalled proposed resolution is inadmissible.
ﾓQuite frankly, it boggles my mind.
Lawyers are behaving as if they are in grade school and I donﾴt think that that can enhance the reputation of the profession,ﾒ Mr. Munroe said.
ﾓItﾴs causing me concern that lawyers are doing things that are not in accordance with the law. We canﾴt make ourselves a laughing stock. Any lawyer should understand independence of the judiciary and security of tenure.
ﾓThe Bar Association has nothing to do with this, if you have a complaint then you take it to the Prime Minister, not us. What is disappointing are people who are supposed to be learned in the law, not reading it. I donﾴt want a few members to give the impression that all of us donﾴt know what weﾴre doing.ﾒ
The Bahama Journal
