President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Michael de la Bastide chuckled as he expressed his gratitude for the advice given to him in 1956 by Sir Ellis Clarke to attend Gray's Inn. He said so in a brief interview after viewing the casket of Sir Ellis at the Red House yesterday morning.
De La Bastide added: "He never met me before but he took a chance on me and I was always grateful for his advice. He was a model to me and for many others. "We all have to be grateful for his life and his tremendous contribution to the country and in a very personal way he was a model, an exemplar." Asked what national tribute should be given in honour of Sir Ellis, De La Bastide said the proposed Sir Ellis Clarke Foundation should be followed up.