Director of Public Prosecution Sejilla McDowall has spoken out about the “misconduct” of some lawyers in court.
“I know that these instances have been in the minority but the fact that they happen is something that needs to be addressed,” she said at the closing of the assizes at High Court No. 2, in Kingstown, earlier this month.
“When a senior member at the Bar could sit and tell a judge that you can do whatever you want in 2024, we know we are on a decline unless and until there are interventions,” the chief prosecutor said at the special sitting of the court, presided over by Justice Rickie Burnett.
“So, I am looking forward to the introduction of the Legal Profession Act because when all of this behaviour is being displayed in the open, I do not wish for members of the public to lament that the legal profession used to be a noble profession,” McDowall said.
“When there is that conduct, it gives credence to what persons are saying about lawyers. All lawyers are not liars and all lawyers are not treacherous and all lawyers are not trying to steal anybody’s money.”
McDowall said she has worked in the Public Service her entire legal career.
“And the fact of the matter is, if you want to do the comparatives, it’s a trade-off and we have taken the lesser salary to do the greater good,” she said adding that not all lawyers are deserving of some of the labels from the public.
McDowall said some of these labels have been “very scathing, very harsh over the years”.
She said she was hopeful that it would not take the passing of a law to address the issue.
“So, we are hoping that it does not necessarily need a legislative intervention, but, with the president of the bar here, there can be some level of civility and understanding that we should appreciate that amongst ourselves at the Bar table, we don’t beat each other over the head to achieve our objectives,” McDowall said.
In the Veron Primus trial, lawyer Michael Wyllie was persistently disrespectful to the judge who was Brian Cottle. Mr. Cottle showed great restrain for not bringing contempt charges against Mr. Wyllie. Michael Wyllie’s behavior towards the court was repulsive to say the least.
While the DPP is correct in her assessment as per the article. I was looking for this type of comment when an officer of the law in her department was ab alleged co-conspirator in the shooting of Mr John at his home. To date nothing was done and it seems that a Jumbie shot Mr. John.
Yes, she is most selective in her observations and utterances. No shame whatsoever.