Tributes poured in yesterday as news of the passing of Justice of Appeal Wendell Kangaloo spread throughout the country. A release issued by the judiciary yesterday said Kangaloo died peacefully at 1.40 am at the St Clair Medical Centre, Port-of-Spain. Kangaloo, 57, was one of the country’s most senior Appeal Court judges.
He suffered major injuries in an early-morning crash on May 20, 2012, and spent more than seven months in the United States undergoing treatment. He returned home in December last year and was receiving further treatment. “He had been in the Intensive Care Unit of that medical institution for the past several days, having been warded for treatment of complications related to the very severe injuries he sustained in a vehicular accident in May last year,” the release said.
He has been described as a “scholar and gentleman”, a “well-rounded individual” and a credit to the judiciary and the country. The judiciary’s release said condolence books will be available for public signing at the Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, as well as the Supreme Court, San Fernando, and the Hall of Justice, Scarborough, Tobago.
Kangaloo was admitted to the Bar in October 1984 and was appointed a puisne judge of the High Court in 1996, at 39, when he was one of the youngest people to assume that office. He was elevated in 2001 to the Court of Appeal, where he was, at the time of his death, the most senior among the judges. He acted as Chief Justice on many occasions.
Tributes pour in PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar:
In a statement yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said after his return to T&T she was advised that he was recuperating and that she was looking forward to his return to the Bench. Persad-Bissessar said it came as a shock to her when she learnt he was readmitted to hospital last week.
She said it was even more shocking when she was informed by Chief Justice Ivor Archie that he had died. She said they became good friends having worked at the same law chambers in San Fernando even though he had been admitted to the Bar three years before her. She recalled that he had a great humour and love of sports, particularly horseracing. Kangaloo, she said, provided free advice and counselling to young members of the profession and was never hasty to rush to judgment.
“On behalf of the Government, I extend deepest condolences to the Kangaloo family in this time of grief and to offer them solace, that he contributed immensely to the legal profession,” the release said.
Chief Justice Ivor Archie:
The release issued by the judiciary quoted Chief Justice Ivor Archie as saying: “He was wise counsel, a true friend, a good teacher and an extraordinary person whose sense of humour endeared him to all.” Archie said as a judge he was “incisive, detailed, objective, fair and fearless.” Kangaloo, he said, was passionate about the law and “eschewed poor governance at any level and embraced fully the judiciary’s efforts at transforming itself into a high-performing professional organisation.”
He described Kangaloo’s contribution as “invaluable” and said “his absence creates a void not easily replenished. “The country and the rule of law have lost a brilliant protagonist and we join in saluting his legacy and the grief over his passing, celebrating his life also.”
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan:
In a phone interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan expressed “deep sadness” at Kangaloo’s passing. He said Kangaloo was a personal friend and mentor. “A distinguished son from the South, he graduated with first-class honours from the Cave Hill Campus, UWI, and subsequently became the first Hugh Wooding Law school graduate to be elevated to the Court of Appeal,” the AG said.
“He was an intellectual giant whose accelerated judicial career was vindicated by the erudite nature and high quality of his judgements.” Ramlogan said Kangaloo’s family is one rooted in national service. “He will be fondly remembered for his humility and unassuming nature and a crisp analysis of tough and complex legal issues,” he said.
“He took a personal interest in the development of young lawyers and did not exist in an ivory tower divorced from the legal profession. His demise leaves a void in the profession and judiciary that will be very difficult to fill. “But we are comforted in the knowledge that his judgments will be his legacy and would lead to the development of law and justice for all.”
Dana Seetahal, SC:
In a phone interview yesterday, Dana Seetahal, SC, said Kangaloo’s death was a tremendous loss not only to his friends and family but also the judiciary. Seetahal said he had a superior mind which he utilised as a judge and before as a lawyer in private practice. Seetahal said he was a well-rounded individual and recalled him as a runner as well as former president of the Arima Race Club.
For her, Kangaloo was not only a great jurist but also a friend to whom she looked for support. She extended condolences to his friends and family.
Russell Martineau, SC:
Former attorney general Russell Martineau said Kangaloo’s death was a “sad loss” in the profession, judiciary and country of a very dignified judge, “full of integrity.” Kangaloo, he said, earned the respect of all of the Bar and that he left a lucrative practice to do service to the country. He said he hoped lawyers-to-be emulate Kangaloo's professional life.
Justice Minister Christlyn Moore:
A release from Justice Minister Christlyn Moore extended condolences and extended best wishes to his family. The release said he will be remembered for his “stellar contribution towards shaping the judicial landscape of T&T.”
Pamela Elder, SC, president of the Criminal Bar Association:
“I express condolences to his family members and trust and hope they derive comfort in this time of sorrow and let the memories of his deep intellect and compassion comfort them at this time and all the pleasant memories,” she said.
People’s National Movement:
In a release issued yesterday, the PNM expressed its condolences on behalf of its leader Dr Keith Rowley, chairman Franklin Khan and other officers and members. “He was well respected for his legal acumen and participated in several landmark judgments both in the High Court and the Appeal Court of T&T.”
The release said the country owed “a debt of gratitude” to members of the Kangaloo family, highlighting former San Fernando mayor Carlyle Kangaloo and former PNM cabinet minister and MP for Pointe-a-Pierre, Christine Kangaloo, who “distinguished themselves in service to the PNM and to the nation.”
Law Association:
In expressing its sympathy to the Kangaloo family, the Law Association said Kangaloo made an indelible mark on the judiciary and was regarded as the quintessential judge. “He brought his scholarship to bear in all matters in which he was involved. He has left a rich legacy of outstanding jurisprudence and his erudition on the Bench will be sorely missed by the legal fraternity,” it said.
BC Pires, former law school colleague:
For BC Pires, Kangaloo was a gentle spirit at heart. “It is a very sad occasion,” Pires said in a phone interview yesterday with the T&T Guardian. He said they belonged to the same study group, which also included Nalini Sinanan and Douglas Mendes, SC. Pires, like many others who paid tribute to Kangaloo, said, “He will be remembered for the quality of his judgments...He had a piercing intelligence.”