The new law term is set to kick off with a bang after today’s ceremonial opening, with several high-profile cases set for hearing tomorrow. Among the cases is the lawsuit brought by Independent Liberal Party (ILP) chairman Jack Warner challenging the controversial provisions of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill. The constitutional motion lawsuit filed on behalf of two ILP members—Sherwin Mitchell and Dane Francis—was initiated the day after the bill was passed by the Senate on August 29. The bill introduces several sweeping changes to the electoral process, including the right of recall and a two-term limit for prime ministers.
A provision for runoff polls in constituencies where no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of votes was met with national uproar after it was revealed that the measure was not raised during public consultations on constitutional reform. While the legislation was reverted to the House of Representatives for amendments, Mitchell and Francis are claiming that once it receives presidential assent and becomes law, it will offend their constitutional right to political expression, both as electors and as potential candidates. The hearing will be the first in the case since it was filed, with attorneys expected to engage in case management discussions before High Court judge Frank Seepersad.
A hearing on an injunction granted against two private schools seeking to relocate to Maraval, another recent case filed during the Judiciary’s annual summer vacation, is due in the Port-of-Spain High Court tomorrow. The Diego Martin Regional Corporation obtained the injunction last Tuesday, a day before Arbor and Rosewood Schools were due to open on Long Circular Road, opposite the Church of the Assumption. The corporation says the schools planned to open without permission from the Ministry of Education and the Town and Country Planning Division. The murder trial of Xtra Foods chief executive Vindra Naipaul-Coolman is set to return before Justice Malcolm Holdip in the Port-of-Spain Second Assizes tomorrow.
Prosecutors and defence lawyers for the 12 men accused of murdering her met before Holdip yesterday as they prepared for the resumption of the trial. Since it began in late March, prosecutors have called almost half the 75 witnesses expected to testify. Most were police officers who investigated Naipaul-Coolman’s kidnapping from her Chaguanas home on December 19, 2006. Her widower Rennie Coolman and her daughter Risha Ali, who were at home at the time, also testified. Multiple crime-scene exhibits, which appear mostly circumstantial have been presented by prosecutors as their claimed Naipaul-Coolman was held captive at a house in La Puerta Avenue, Diego Martin, before she was eventually killed. Her body was never recovered.
Details of Ceremony
Today’s ceremonial opening will begin with an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Abercromby Street, from 10 am. Chief Justice Archie will then lead a short procession of judicial officers, lawyers and other dignitaries to the Hall of Justice on Knox Street. Archie will inspect the Guard of Honour by the Police Service before making his way to Convocation Hall, where he will deliver his annual address and declare the 2014/2015 law term open. In a new departure, Archie has also offered media houses an interview as an opportunity to clarify any issues raised in today’s speech. That discussions scheduled for September 23.
