Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 23/Mar 16:46

Law Association questioned on fees collection policy

Former treasurer of the Law Association (LATT), Patricia Dindyal, has raised concerns about the association’s approach to collecting unpaid subscription fees. In particular, she wants to know if a “bad pay” letter was sent to Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis. Dindyal, in a letter addressed to the association’s CEO Stacy Seeterram, questioned if a letter was sent to the AG and if there were any plans to do so. Dindyal said as a former treasurer involved in the project to collect subscription fees from attorneys, if no letter was going to be sent, then LATT should reconsider its policy on pursuing arrears from other attorneys. “If LATT does not send one, may I suggest LATT immediately cease sending out the bad pay letters and inform the membership that there is no need to pay arrears of subscription fees,” Dindyal wrote. Dindyal said she intended to bring the matter up at LATT’s AGM. She said as a member of LATT, she was entitled to ask questions. Robinson-Regis, who was sworn in as Attorney General on March 17, admitted she was a non-practising member after she stopped paying her subscription fees after 2001, when she ceased active practice. Robinson-Regis became a minister in 2022 and previously acted as attorney general. She was called to the bar in 1985 and was once corporate secretary of National Flour Mills. After her appointment, questions were raised about whether she is eligible to hold the position of Attorney General without a valid practising certificate. Legal sources said while the Constitution does not explicitly mandate a practising certificate for the Attorney General, the Legal Profession Act (LPA) “appeared to suggest otherwise.” For her to receive a practising certificate, she simply has to file a section 24 (of the LPA) application for one. On March 21, Lynette Seebaran-Suite returned as president of the Law Association for a third term. The association held its annual election to elect a new council. Seebaran-Suite was unopposed. Frederick Gilkes was also unopposed as vice-president while Hayma Ramdhanie-Seemungal was also elected unopposed as treasurer. Ten senior ordinary members and five junior ordinary members were also voted in from 14 and 12 nominees, respectively. Voting was by electronic ballot and only financial practitioner members were allowed to vote. The post Law Association questioned on fees collection policy appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.