The Grenada Bar Association (GBA) is set to have a new President in the New Year as Derick Sylvester is not seeking re-election for a third consecutive term in office.
“I have resigned effective 31st December,” the seasoned legal professional told THE NEW TODAY.
Sylvester said the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the local bar is due on January 4, 2024 at which the election should be held for the top position of the body and it is ideal for him to step aside now after serving two terms in order to allow the new person to be put at the helm.
According to Sylvester, there is no term limit for the GBA President but he holds the view that no one should serve for more than two consecutive terms as that has been the practice over the years.
“I don’t believe that any one President should do more than two terms – that’s just my view. I think I did fairly ok judging from how I look at it,” he said.
King’s Counsel Ruggles Ferguson is believed to have served for four terms as GBA boss as no other lawyer showed interest in the position.
The current 1st Vice-President of GBA Francis Paul is tipped to become the new President of the local bar.
Sylvester said he chose December to step down as it coincides with the opening of the new Law Year in Grenada on January 12, 2024 and the Chief Justice Dame Janice Periera will be present for the occasion.
He said that Grenada has been chosen to host the opening of the Law Year and the Chief Justice and a team of overseas lawyers will be visiting to make speeches to open the New Year.
“…The Chief Justice would be here with the whole team so it is good for whoever will be the new President to do the speaking and to put the machinery in place,” he added.
THE NEW TODAY understands that the Grenada outing will be the last time that Dame Janice will be addressing the Opening of a new Law Year as she is due to retire from the position within a matter of months due to the age limit placed on the position.