News

Last site update : 26 Jan, 2022

Canadian Bar Association Virtual Intern - farewell to Ms. Nancy Bediako
Ms. Bediako's virtual internship came to an end in December 2021.
The CBA is considering the return of in-person internships for 2022-2023.

Canadian Bar Association Virtual Interns - farewell to Ms. Sania Rashid and welcome to Ms. Nancy Bediako
Ms. Rashid's virtual internship having come to an end on 10 September 2021, the clinic has been fortunate to be assigned a second virtual intern, Ms. Nancy Bediako, who will be involved as much as possible in the day to day work of the clinic and continue the work started by Ms. Rashid on drafting legal aid legislation and a strategic plan for the clinic.

Welcome to Canadian Bar Association Virtual Intern Ms. Sania Rashid
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Bar Association has been unable to send any interns to Guyana as part of their Young Lawyers International Program, but Ms. Sania Rashid is the clinic's first intern under a virtual programme, which runs from mid-June to mid-September.

Ms. Rashid is not only assisting the clinic with research as required but is drafting legal aid legislation and a strategic plan for the clinic

Congratulations to Ms. Anisah Muhammad, the second recipient of the Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick Prize for Legal Aid
Ms. Anisah Muhammad was identified by Hugh Wooding Law School as the second recipient of the prize (books to the value of USD500), although unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic a law school graduation ceremony could not be held at which Ms. Muhammad could be presented with her certificate.

The clinic's presentation to Ms. Muhammad took place at the clinic on 27 January 2021, with the books being handed over to Ms. Muhammad by Ms. Sultana Fitzpatrick, the widow of Mr. Fitpatrick, their son Mr. Garry Fitzpatrick and granddaughter Ms. Zoe Fitzpatrick.

Coronavirus
The clinic remained open with virus prevention measures in place until the decision was taken to close on 20 March 2020 and put procedures in place for client contact via phone, email, WhatsApp and Facebook and remote court attendance as necessary.

With the amendment to the Emergency Measures to include attorneys-at-law as providers of essential services, the clinic reopened in the second week of May 2020 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to midday, and from 17 June 2020 was also open on Wednesday mornings.

Farewell to Ms. Kate Dewey and Mr. Kevin Chao
Our Canadian Bar Association's Young Lawyers International Program interns Ms. Dewey and Mr. Chao left Guyana before the completion of their 6 months with the Clinic, having been advised to return to Canada in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hoped that the Clinic's partnership with the CBA will be able continue later in the year with the placement of more interns.

Congratulations to Ms. Collette Marks & Ms. Rene McDonald
Ms. Marks and Ms. McDonald both became mothers during the first quarter of the year.

Welcome to Ms. Tonza Sarrabo
Ms. Sarrabo joined the Clinic in April 2020 following the departure of Ms. Roshelle Sparman. She is based at the Georgetown office.

Closure of the Clinic due to COVID-19
In mid-March 2020, the decision was taken to close the Clinic in order to safeguard the well-being of staff and clients.

Arrangements were made to attend court as required and to provide advice to clients by phone.

Welcome to Ms. Kate Dewey and Mr. Kevin Chao
Ms. Dewey and Mr. Chao arrived in Guyana in September 2019 to begin a 6 months internship with the clinic under the Canadian Bar Association's Young Lawyers International Program.

Congratulations to Ms. Frances Carryl, the first recipient of the Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick Prize for Legal Aid
Ms. Frances Carryl was identified by Hugh Wooding Law School as the first recipient of the prize and was awarded a certificate at the graduation ceremony in October 2019.
As Ms. Carryl is currently pursuing a Master's degree in the UK, the presentation of her book prize will take place at a later date.

Further congratulations to Ms. Darshanie Lall and Ms. Roshelle Sparman
Ms. Lall and Ms. Sparman were duly admitted to the Guyana Bar in October 2019.

Congratulations to Ms. Darshanie Lall and Ms. Roshelle Sparman
Ms. Lall and Ms. Sparman have both been successful in their law school examinations and will be qualified for admission to the Guyana Bar upon their graduation from Hugh Wooding Law School in October.

Welcome to Ms. Michelle Matthias
Ms. Matthias joined the clinic in June 2019 and is based at the Georgetown office.

Welcome back to Ms. Darshanie Lall
Ms. Lall joined the clinic in June 2019 as a paralegal pending her anticipated graduation from Hugh Wooding Law School and admission to the Guyana bar in October 2019.
She is no stranger to the clinic, having done 10 weeks in-service training with us in 2018.
Subsequent to her admission and after a two month period in Georgetown, Ms. Lall will be based at the Anna Regina office.

Welcome to Ms. Roshelle Sparman
Ms. Sparman also joined the clinic in June 2019 as a paralegal pending her anticipated graduation from Hugh Wooding Law School and admission to the Guyana bar in October 2019.

Farewell to Ms. Yolanda Lamott
Ms. Lamott left the clinic at the end of May 2019, after 18 months as the clinic's first assistant managing attorney.

Establishment of the Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick Prize for Legal Aid
In honour of the late Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick, the clinic has established a prize to be awarded for the best performance in Legal Aid by a Guyanese student at Hugh Wooding Law School The prize consists of a book to be chosen by the recipient at a cost of up to USD500. It is expected that the first prize will be awarded in October 2019.

UNICEF-funded Partnership with Help & Shelter
The clinic and Help & Shelter are partnering on an 8 month project funded by UNICEF o provide legal aid services and violence awareness sessions to migrants and host communities in Regions 1, 2 and 4.

Mr. Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick SC
Everyone at the clinic was extremely saddened by the death of Miles Fitzpatrick on 12 March 2019. He was not only a founder member of the current clinic but had played a leading role in the previous incarnation of legal aid in Guyana.

He was a remarkable man in so many ways and will be sorely missed.

Board changes
In March 2019, Ms. Deborah Kumar, Deputy Solicitor General, joined the board as one of the government's representatives, and Mr. Teni Housty replaced Ms. Keshia Chase as the Guyana Bar Association's representative on the board.

Canadian Bar Association's Young Lawyers Internship Program
Mr. Tyson Burke left the clinic towards the end of March 2019 at the conclusion of another very successful internship.

Such has been the success of the partnership between the clinic and the CBA, that internship at the clinic is one of the most sought after placements.

The clinic looks forward to welcoming another intern in September 2019.

2019 subvention

The clinic is most grateful to the government for the increase in its subvention for 2019, which will enable us to further enhance and expand our services.

Archive of News from 2018