Senior Reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
Trinidadian Judge Margaret Price-Findlay has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Price-Findlay, who had been acting in the role since May last year, was officially confirmed as the court’s 14th Chief Justice during a ceremony at its headquarters in St Lucia yesterday morning.
Price-Findlay was born in Diego Martin and attended Holy Name Convent secondary school.
She practised in the British Virgin Islands for several years before being appointed to the court as a judge in 2009.
During yesterday’s ceremony, Price-Findlay delivered an emotional address in which she recognised relatives and mentors who contributed to her career, including her deceased parents.
“My father championed every cause I undertook and I know he would have been so proud today,” she said.
She said she never thought that she would serve in the role when she started her career decades ago.
“If anyone had told me when I arrived in the BVI in January 1991 that I would stand before you as Chief Justice of this venerable institution and only the second woman to hold this office, I would have certainly not believed you,” Justice Price-Findlay said.
She admitted that she was a bit apprehensive when she was asked to temporarily hold the post.
“I knew it was not an easy road and I was asked to follow in the footsteps of some of the finest legal minds that have graced this institution,” she said.
She thanked her fellow judges and support staff for supporting her since her initial appointment.
“It has been a learning experience but I have had a staff that was truly the wind beneath my wings...There were days when you carried me because I felt overwhelmed,” she said.
She called upon them to work together to preserve and enhance the legacy of the court, which serves six independent Caribbean countries and three British Overseas Territories.
“We work for a venerable institution called the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and we must all roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work for us to succeed,” Justice Price-Findlay said.
“Let’s put our shoulders to the wheel and collectively achieve this goal,” she added.
