Earlier this month BU posted the blog Registrar And Registry Exposed To Action For Defamation By Senior Lawyers. Several prominent attorneys-at-law saw their names omitted from the Official Gazette of December 29, 2011, proof that they are registered to practice their profession in Barbados. Among them: Sir Frederick Smith Q.C., Mr Edmund King Q.C., Mr Maurice King Q.C., Mrs Beverley Walrond Q.C., Mr Hal Gollop, Mr Vernon Smith Q.C. BU sources advised then that letters were dispatched to the Registrar demanding immediate redress.
Again usual BU sources have advised that the affected lawyers – their silk and prominence notwithstanding – have not been able to provoke a response from the Registrar. To those who are forced to deal with the Registrar a lack of response is not a surprise. As a consequence several of the lawyers affected are drafting proceedings against the Registrar and the damages lodged will likely be significant. Why the Registrar would be lethargic in dealing with correcting the error and or responding to the learned counsel appears to be just plain ignorant. The inaction is likely to burden and already congested court system.
As to why this is happening despite the best effort of the previous government to implement public sector reform? The answer may be found in a public sector ‘reacting’ to no wage increases in recent years. Yet another disaffected segment of the electorate which the government will have to confront with a general election looming. When the Eager 11 issue broke BU proffered the explanation that one of the reasons of dissatisfaction targeted Prime Minister Stuart’s inaction at dealing with the sloth of the civil service. Prime Minister Stuart has ministerial portfolio with the civil service. It is insightful that Minister Donville Inniss has been stridently echoing a similar view of late which was highlighted in todays Nation editorial.
For those who view what is happening in Barbados through politically non partisan lenses, the governance system which has served us well is imploding right before our eyes.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.