Appeal Court Judge Peter Jamadar received glowing tributes from his colleagues and lawyers yesterday, as he made his final court appearance before taking up a post at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) next month.
Senior Counsel Russell Martineau, who was the most senior lawyer present, kicked off the impromptu commemorative hearing and congratulated Jamadar on his elevation to the CCJ.
“Our loss is of tremendous gain to the CCJ. He (Jamadar) will be recognised for his erudite questions and getting to the heart of the matter. No one can question his integrity or his sincerity,” Martineau said.
However, Martineau, who Jamadar subsequently described as his “legal advisor and confidante”, said he was saddened by the news.
“It has been rather enjoyable for me in a sense, but also sad. I am not a visitor to the CCJ, so it may be the last time for me to appear before Justice Jamadar,” Martineau said.
Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj said that there was no doubt that Jamadar made an indelible contribution to the development of the law.
“No one would feel that they didn’t get a fair deal in court,” Maharaj said.
Jamadar left Maharaj and almost everyone in the courtroom chuckling as he reminded him of an incident in 1999, where Maharaj described him as the worst judge in T&T while he served as attorney general.
Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan noted that Jamadar was a mentor to young lawyers and he often offered constructive criticism and advice. Ramlogan also described Jamadar as the most “culturally sensitive” of all judges.
In his contribution, Senior Counsel Ian Benjamin sought to predict that Jamadar would be the first of several Appeal Court Judges, currently sitting, who may be eventually selected to sit on the CCJ. He also expressed hope that this country would make the regional court, its final appellate court.
“It is hoped that at some time the politicians would get their act together and they would decide that confidence in our judiciary is a necessity,” Benjamin said.
When given an opportunity to respond, Jamadar thanked them for their encouraging words as he relayed anecdotes of his interactions with them.
He also encouraged them to work together to continue to develop the profession.
“You all must not be adversaries outside this court. You do not do the profession justice,” Jamadar said.
He made special mention of deceased Senior Counsel Sonny Maharaj and Guyanese Queen’s Counsel Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, who he both described as mentors.
Jamadar also paid tribute to former Chief Justice Michael de la Bastide, who he said was vital to inspiring him and other senior judges currently sitting in the Judiciary.
“Michael brought us together, he sat with us, shared with us and never wavered from the commitment to the group,” an emotional Jamadar said.
Jamadar made a passing cryptic comment on the “current state of affairs” within the Judiciary.
“It is what it is and you know what it is,” Jamadar said.
In light of his comment, Jamadar also sought to defend some of his colleagues.
“The group that started with me are men and women of independence and integrity, who served their country fearlessly,” Jamadar said.