Judges in the house?
We have no problem with former judges deciding to join political parties, and to run as candidates for these parties. The difference is that a former judge is a citizen like the rest of us. We cannot yet refer to Judge Volney as a “former judge” in this debate. He was still on the Bench when he made his decision, and he clearly must have been in some sort of consultation with the UNC even as he enjoyed the status of a High Court Judge.
How long have these consultations been ongoing while Mr Volney was sitting as a Judge? Would he have resigned his tenure if he had not been guaranteed a candidacy within the UNC?
Prime Minister Manning’s reaction to the resignation of Volney and Harripersad was also unacceptable. We simply do not believe, and we would need to see evidence produced, before we accept that either gentleman was a secret supporter of the UNC , and had therefore been prejudiced in any judgments or decisions. Indeed, Mr. Manning seemed to harbour no such qualms in 1996 when he plucked Justice Anthony Lucky from the Appeal court to offer him as a candidate for President of the Republic.
Even more worrying in this episode is Manning’s declaration that “Security forces in this country have had an interest in the activities of Volney for some time”. How many Judges of the High Court, other than Volney and former Chief Justice Sharma, have Manning’s security forces been monitoring? And for what reasons? However, if Security was doing their job, they should have reported “some time” ago, that Volney was in discussion with the UNC.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt
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Kamla: PNM did same
She said he was within his constitutional rights to have a political view. She said he only exercised his view after his resignation. ‘I remember Justice Lucky was offered as a People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for president while he was a sitting judge. He did not resign and he went back, if I recall, to serve on the bench. But I am not saying because you did it, we are doing it. That’s not my point. My point is it is within the constitutional right of the judge,’ she said.
Legal purists recall Lucky and Lucky
Published: 30 Apr 2010
http://guardian.co.tt
Prime Minister Patrick Manning is dismissing it, but yesterday several legal observers recalled his nomination of Justice Anthony Lucky to serve as President of the republic. The legal purists did so in the context of Justice Herbert Volney’s shock decision to retire from the judiciary and immediately seek nomination as a UNC general election candidate. Manning has said that Volney’s move goes against the face of the separation of powers doctrine.
One senior counsel yesterday remembered that Manning had sought to have Lucky made Head of State at the time when the UNC, then in office, had nominated Arthur NR Robinson. Robinson was elected by the Electoral College, made up of all Members of Parliament and Senators. Lucky was then a sitting High Court judge. After he failed to become President, he returned to the bench. Legal figures also noted that Lucky’s daughter, Gillian Lucky, moved from active politics to serving as a High Court judge. Lucky, a former MP for Pointe-a-Pierre, is close to the end of a six-month term as a judge.
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Kamla must think carefully on Volney
Notwithstanding how the coalition leader attempts to sell it, there must be real concern when a sitting judge leaves the bench one day and the next day jumps right into the political arena, without even “washing his foot”, as the good ole Trini saying goes.
Kamla: Volney did nothing wrong
UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday defended former High Court judge Herbert Volney’s decisions to seek a candidacy in her party saying he had a constitutional right to have a political view.
Praise, criticism from legal minds
The decision by former High Court judge Herbert Volney to pursue a political career has received mixed reviews from members of the Judiciary. A senior counsel said Volney’s action may create doubt about the independence of all judges. However, one sitting judge said there was no need for concern and insisted Volney’s action had not affected the credibility of the Judiciary. “Volney’s decision does not affect my independence as a judge, and I am sure that goes for my other brothers and sisters on the bench. I wish him the best. At least Volney had the decency to resign first. There were others like former Justice (Anthony) Lucky whose name was debated in Parliament for the post of President. It is amazing how people are selective in their condemnation and their praise.”
Volney: PM A Tyrant
Volney: Hardest decision ever
At the centre of a political firestorm, former judge Herbert Volney said yesterday that leaving behind his career and life in the Judiciary was the hardest decision he has ever made.
Law Association: Jump too swift for comfort
Former judge gets UNC nod for St Joseph
Volney: God guided my decision
Former High Court judge Justice Herbert Volney said yesterday he believed Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s statements that he (Volney) was being monitored by the security forces for some time were untrue.
The genesis of sustainable unity
…dismisses claims by PM of using office for UNC benefit
Ramraj Harripersad who retired as senior magistrate to offer himself as a United National Congress (UNC) general election candidate has dismissed the claims of Prime Minister Patrick Manning that he (Harripersad) had acted improperly in his political dealings.
Justice must not only be done, but it must appear to be done. When there are judges and questionable fraternities like secret orders and political parties ‘real’ justice would not be served. The problem with legal expressions is that they are so sanctimoniously that the gullible will accept whatever these jokers say.Anyone,it seems, can be set freed or convicted for a favour.One fee to defend you, a higher one to set you free.I am damn scared of the justice ‘industry’, that is why I keep out of trouble.
What a shame. All this chaos for nothing. Let’s say the UNC wins, Don’t think they will bring anything to the table. Most of these people and too polarized to think strategically. Cannot believe that with all the advances that we have made in Trinidad we are left to choose between two parties that are obviously drastically flawed. Perhaps we should take a look at one of our neighbors and learn from them. Barbados, how is it that they are able to have such a high stadard of living with a fraction of the resources that we have. The next PM should get on a plane and consult with Barbados about how to run a stable Island democracy.
But first Barbados should repay all the massive loans to T&T which successive governments have forgiven.
Barbados will pay us back the very day that Guyana stop sending us old ,useless , defective lumbers and -since our farmers all migrated for pristine Canada and USA – stone laden rice ,as payments from as far back as when socialist Burnaham and his several successors including closet CIA operative Janet ,and her adopted political son.
PNM has no monopoly on blatant gullible stupidity when it comes to wasting our resources to ungrateful so called friends, neighbors , and families from abroad. The agents of both self serving parties used diverse mechanisms both in and out of power to achieve their objectives – some economic , others politics.
the writing is on the wall, PNM had a political meeting in penal, when you look at the crowd, not a single east indian, can you explain that.
Volney: Snap election brought snap decision
FORMER high court judge and now UNC candidate Herbert Volney, whose son was once kidnapped, and who was once robbed, yesterday recalled his family’s personal ordeal at the hands of criminals as he vowed to take action to deal with crime, if elected into office.
Dilemma facing PNM-ites
Former High Court Judge, Herbert Volney’s sitting on the Bench one day and on the following day being formally selected as a candidate for the United National Congress (UNC) has attracted criticism and support in many quarters.
The controversial decisions of Volney’s cases
The discussion on the decision to become is showing us that we all succumb to the folly of partisan politics. As Martin Dally expressed it, the action as a step down, I am wondering if the society is measuring the status of the person or their character when voting in an election campaign. The post of President cannot be compared to that of electoral candidate since the President has to be impartial and therefore requires a deeper sense of commitment to the public.
As a resident of St. Joseph I have the privilege to choose between an ex-priest and an ex-judge; the problem is I don’t like exes. The fact that these two men left privileged positions to fight in the arena of partisan politics shows we are yet to learn where real power lies.
The Executive has been placed in a lopsided position with the arguments covering the move of Mr. Volney. Trinidad and Tobago will be on tenterhooks in the coming weeks, are we prepared for a group of people who have been spewing so much hatred and anger and now they want to have an opportunity to run the country. We have to ask, whose interest are they seeking? Can we trust them? Have they used the groups they were members of to climb the partisan ladder? What happens to those persons opposing them in their groups? Are they going to be considered traitors and infidels? Are these leaders looked upon as traitors to their groups? There are many questions that have arisen about the manner of men before us. A true examination of Society and Governance is required to bring order to our Society. Best wishes to all who believe they are in the business to serve in this manner, remember the youths and children are watching. The best lessons learnt are those we see.
Judges and politics: For better or worse?
For better or worse?
The controversial “judiciary to politics” transition by Herbert Volney—unprecedented in form and swiftness—could be described as a blessing in disguise. It compels us, the Chief Justice, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in particular, to consider a phenomenon that will likely grow in coming years.
The unknowns of coalitional govt
Volney’s sacrifice
UNC leader defends actions of ex-judge
Kamla touts Volney as ‘courageous’
No comparison between Justice Lucky and judge Volney
The People’s National Movement (PNM) in a release last evening responded to what it termed, the ill-informed comments of Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, about the controversial move by former judge, Herbert Volney’s entry into politics, one day after resigning from the bench.
Brad Boyce placard protesters stun Volney
Brad Boyce protesters spring surprise on Volney at St Joseph meeting
Volney attacks Jeremie
In his first appearance on a political platform retired High Court judge Herbert Volney last night accused Attorney General John Jeremie of trying to undermine the independence of the Judiciary.
Vaulting for votes
Judge-turned-politician (not that the jury is still not out over the precise timing) Herbert Volney may yet turn out to be the loosest of canons, some of his remarks from the Bench all but defining a man disgruntled by his finding that he was being kept back because he was not – of all things – singing from the same hymn book as Justice Archie’s and Mr Manning’s full-gospel chorus even as his post-screening remarks pointed to a man with that self-same messianic view of self of which he accused the Prime Minister.
Rowley criticises Volney
PEOPLE’S National Movement candidate for Diego Martin West, Dr Keith Rowley, last night criticised former Justice Herbert Volney for his decision to join the United National Congress (UNC) in its bid to unseat the Government in the May 24 general election.