Unauthorised release of election petition decision negatively impacted CCJ, says Regional Court

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 October 2022, 11:07 by Denis Chabrol

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean Court of Justice, like some other apex courts, has a practice of sending advance copies of its judgments to all the lawyers representing the parties to a case.

Typically, these advance copies are provided to each counsel within 24 hours of the formal issuance of the judgment. The intent is to give the lawyers an opportunity not to re-litigate the dispute but to comment on any perceived errors in the draft. The advance copies are clearly marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and counsel are warned to treat with them in the strictest confidence pending the delivery of the judgment.

The Court was extremely disappointed to learn that, in a case in which the Attorney General of Guyana was a party, on the Attorney General’s Facebook account there was published, before the formal delivery of the judgment, the result of the litigation.

At the formal sitting to pronounce the judgment the following day (yesterday Wednesday 19 October), the presiding judge, Honourable Justice Wit, drew the attention of Counsel for the Attorney General to the obvious breach. Counsel readily acknowledged the unauthorised Facebook post and issued on behalf of his client, a full and unqualified apology. The Court has also been advised that the Attorney General, the Honourable Mohabir Anil Nandlall, has also issued an apology on his Facebook page for what was apparently a reckless error on the part of a staffer.

The premature, unauthorised disclosure of the result of the litigation is inexcusable. It betrays the confidence of the Court and, given the fact that it emanated from the Facebook account of the person holding the office of Attorney General, it serves to bring the entire administration of justice into disrepute.

The Caribbean Court of Justice prides itself on the measures it takes to enhance its integrity, impartiality and independence. The judges and staff of the Court will continue to work diligently, incessantly, to build the public’s trust and confidence in the Court. In an effort to ensure that the highest standards of confidentiality and probity are maintained, the Court will continuously keep under review, its policy of sending advanced copies of its judgments to attorneys.