Local usher sues regional JLSC

The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has been sued locally by an employee at the court’s headquarters in Port-of-Spain.

Attorneys representing usher Oscar Peters yesterday filed the judicial review lawsuit against the commission, which appoints judges to the CCJ and manages its human resources.

In the claim, Peters is contending that the RJLSC breached nature justice, procedural fairness and its own regulations when it went ahead to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him based on an alleged flawed investigative report.

The filing of the case coincided with a hearing of the disciplinary tribunal, which was adjourned after being informed of the lawsuit.

In a press release issued yesterday, Peters’ lawyer Martin George sought to point out several irregularities in the case including an admission by CCJ President and RJLSC Chairman Adrian Saunders in January.

“The commission regrets that the investigating officer went beyond her terms of reference and proceeded to address, in her report, issues regarding your guilt and even the penalty you should receive. The Commission did not authorise or expect such issues to be addressed in the report and, on behalf of the Commission, I apologise unreservedly for this,” George claimed Saunders said.

He also noted that there were a plethora of errors and procedural mistakes made by the tribunal, which even drew the attention of attorney Tempu Nefetari, who represents the accuser.

A date for the hearing of Peters’ lawsuit is yet to be be scheduled by the Judiciary.

BY: Derek Achong