The 3rd Regional Law Fair, Bi-annual General Meeting and associated social functions of the OECS Bar Association will be held in Anguilla over this weekend, culminating in the opening of Law Year on Monday, September 18, by the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal.

L-R: Nicole Sylvester, Mr. Courtney Abel and Margaret Mitchell

“It has been the practice of the OECS Bar Association, over the last three years, to host an Annual Law Fair in the same territory where the Court of Appeal is officially opening Law Year and this time it is in Anguilla,” outgoing President of the Bar, Courtney Abel, told The Anguillian on Wednesday this week.

Vincentian lawyer, Nicole Sylvester, Secretary of the OECS Bar and Chairperson of the Regional Law Fair, said the opening ceremony for the fair will take place on Friday, September 15 at Paradise Cove Resort, commencing at 9 a.m. “There will be two elements of the fair,” she explained. “On one hand there will be a conference like workshop with discussions on various areas of the law, ranging from constitutional reform to tracing of illicit funds. It will be at a level that every individual can understand. It is not a case where there will be legal jargon. It is also open to members of the public who are not lawyers.

“At the same time, there will be the Law Book Exhibition, where significantly-reduced prices on books will be offered, may be ranging from 30-50 percent discount. It is not just for lawyers, but also for other professionals who may find it useful to have certain texts. An added feature is that of online research through which timely legal services can be offered.”

The programme in fact began on Thursday, September 14 with a reception at Government House hosted by the Acting Governor, Stanley Reid. There will be a gala dinner on Saturday following the Bi-Annual Meeting of the OECS Bar Association. At that meeting, Mr. Courtney Abel will step down as President and fresh elections will be held for a new executive. On Sunday will be a brunch at the Shoal Bay Villas Sand Pipers Restaurant.

In the evening will be “a Legal Extravaganza” at the Next Level above English Rose Restaurant, where lawyers will be performing in a show. Mr. Abel, a popular singer, said there would be a special skit to be directed by David Carty, involving various persons in the law fraternity and others. It will be open to the public and is a charitable event to assist the Anguilla Mental Health Association. A donation of US$25 per person will be collected at the door.

Up to Wednesday afternoon, there were some ninety persons registered to attend the Regional Law Fair and Bi-Annual Meeting. They are coming from throughout the OECS Sub-region as well as delegates from the Netherland Antilles, Canada and the United Kingdom.

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