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The Official Cave Hill Student Publication is OUT! Law Lines Volume 5, Issue 1
Citation preview
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 1
Volume 5, Issue 1 February 2014
LAW LINES
Deputy Dean’s Message 3
Reflections of a Canadian 10
Letters to the Editor: Article 13
The Façade of February 14
A Look Back 16
Teachers Say 18
On Being a Law Student 20
History Book 22
When I Grow Up 24
Real Views 26
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 2
Dear Readers:
Thank you all for waiting so patiently for this issue of ‘Law Lines’. My
team and I hope that you will find this one very memorable, and worth
your time!
It is my hope that we have provided something for everyone, while at
the same time producing a high quality magazine which covers areas as diverse as our Caribbean culture. This
is regardless of whether you are interested in the Arts, sports, or the otherwise intellectually stimulating topics
of discussion within the following pages. Take it all in, soak it up, and strike up a conversation of your own,
among your circle of friends! When we talk about things that affect us, we begin the process of change.
Speaking of change, Law Week is here! This is celebrated during the week of February 16-22, 2014 across all
campuses. While each campus has its own set of activities planned, we at Cave Hill have pledged ‘To Go
Where No Man Has Gone Before’. If you have not yet caught the fever of the best week on campus, now is
the time! Become involved.
Also, Elections are almost upon us again, so let us consciously make the choice to elect leaders of good char-
acter, and who have our best interests at heart. Become involved in the democratic process.
As we go about this semester, let us remember that time waits on no man. Work hard, work smart, and have
fun! Only you can make this experience a worthwhile one.
I would like to commend my team for their dedication and hard work, and express my gratitude to all the con-
tributors.
Finally, ‘Law Lines’ aims to facilitate the development of creativity, and freedom of expression. As such,
please feel free to contribute at any time. Write to us and tell us your concerns, share your poems, short stories
and photography, and advertise your ventures. Send us an e-mail at: [email protected].
Best regards,
Sherene Francis
Chief Editor
Publications Committee Chairperson 2013-2014
EDITOR’S NOTE
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 3
To the Law Society:
I should wish to express, on behalf of the Dean and members of the Faculty and,
especially, on my own behalf, heartiest congratulations to the Chairman and
members of the Publications Committee of the Law Society and, of course, to the
contributors for their production of this year’s volume of the e-magazine, “ Law
Lines”.
Having been graciously supplied with a copy of last year’s issue, I feel proud that you have been able to
put together and sustain an eclectic mix of materials for the pleasure of its readership, content ranging
from the amusing and colourful photographs of the students in their finery during Legally Insane Week to
the creative efforts of the poetically inclined and to the more traditional case commentaries and notes.
Essentially, the magazine is a light-hearted one and a deserved respite from the academic labours to which
we are constrained subject you during the course of the semester. But it should prove to be much more
than a diversion from present toil. It has been my experience that these student publications serve, long
after your sojourn in the Faculty, as “aides-memoires” of a wonderful experience that assisted in prepar-
ing you for whatever you have turned out to be.
And so, in years to come, as you scroll through its pages and reflect nostalgically on the long forgotten
face of some former fellow student, ponder on some comment of a favourite lecturer, or relive moments
of silliness or insightfulness spurred by a contribution in this issue, do recall the fun times you had here
and please feel a need to give back some token of appreciation to your good old Faculty of Law.
Enjoy!
Jeff Cumberbatch
Deputy Dean [Student Affairs]
Deputy Dean’s Message
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 4
The Law Society of the University of the
West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill is the official student
representative body comprising all students within
the Faculty of Law. We represent Law students and
Cross-Faculty students at Faculty Board, Academic
Board, Guild Meetings and other meetings with the
University Administration, and indeed we are among
the loudest of campus organizations with similar
mandates.
Law Society is also a welfare organization.
That is, the Law Society is there to assist law stu-
dents in need, for example if a student cannot afford
to pay a bill, tuition or purchase groceries we will
assist. We also seek to give the students the educa-
tional experience that they deserve by hosting educa-
tional events. It is, so to say, the support group for
students studying law.
During the first semester, the Law Society
hosts an event known as the Lex Caribbean: Eminent
Speakers Lecture. This time Lex Caribbean and Law
Society hosted the first female Chief Justice of the
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Honourable
Dame Janice Pereira, who gave a tour de force of the
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court's role in the Su-
preme Court. The Eminent Speakers Lecture is an
extremely important part of the Law Society's man-
date, and gives students the opportunity to interact
with esteemed legal minds.
During the second semester Law Society
hosts Law Week, which includes a sports day, moot-
ing, a cocktail, a wellness day, Beerly Legal, and Le-
gal Regal. One of the most important events in the
second semester is the Clarke Gitten Farmer Mooting
Competition. The CGF Mooting Competition is open
to all students studying law. Each year has a first,
second and third place prize along with the best oral-
ist and best memorial. The CGF Moot gives students
an opportunity to interact with members of the legal
fraternity/sorority, test their legal research skills and
ability to present proper legal arguments before
members of the bench both verbally and written.
Additionally, this semester, Starcom Net-
works, Red Stripe and Guiness are sponsoring our
annual Beerly Legal Law Fete, and Bagatelle is spon-
soring Legal Regal (the Law Society Dinner).
Overall the University of the West Indies Law
Society at Cave Hill seeks to make the life of law stu-
dents both entertaining, pleasurable and fruitful.
For comments and/or feedback on any issue mentioned in this
article, you may e-mail Mr. Davies at
Daniel Davies—Law Society President
President’s Reflection
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 5
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 6
On the 13th of March, 2014, the students of The Uni-
versity of the West Indies will be called upon to de-
cide who will lead the Guild of Students at the Cave
Hill Campus. However many students have a very
tainted view of the Guild and its operations over the
years and rightly so. Time and time again we have
seen the manifestations of poor decisions and insuffi-
cient efforts on the part of our elected student lead-
ers. The question to be asked then is, ‘How can we
correct the student leadership dilemma at the Cave
Hill campus?
In my humble opinion, this problem will persist un-
less students who realize the importance of honest,
efficient and innovative leadership put themselves up
for service and take advantage of the electoral pro-
cess. In an effort to improve our candidates, the elec-
toral office will be hosting Administrative Work-
shops, Speech and presentation Workshops. We will
also engage the candidates in outreach activities as
we try to encourage the incoming student leaders to
give back to those in need.
With that said, The Electoral Office of UWI Cave
Hill seeks to implore students to ask questions, com-
pare the candidates and actively engage the candi-
dates during the campaigning period. Make the ef-
fort to attend the Guild debates on March 10th.
And on March 13th, be informed, be prepared and
avail yourself to VOTE WISELY.
- Vanessa Campbell, Guild Returning Officer 2013-
2014
“Together, We Build a Better Guild”
Vanessa Campbell,
Guild Returning Officer
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 7
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 8
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 9
Dear Law Family,
It is an honour to be given the opportunity to
share a few words with you especially during such a
time— LAW WEEK 2014! I can still remember viv-
idly LAW WEEK 2013 and the hard work and prepa-
rations made to ensure that the week was second to
none on campus. This year I see that the 2014 execu-
tive wishes to take you to a place where no man has
gone before. In this regard, I wish them the very best
as they strive to continue the tradition and ensure that
LAW WEEK remains the most anticipated and best
week on the Cave Hill Campus.
I encourage every law student to take part in
the activities planned and to show his/her support
during the week. Your time at Cave Hill does not
last forever, and sooner or later you will all be at Law
School where the work load seems never ending. It is
therefore moments like these that will last for years
to come when your time at Cave Hill is nothing but a
memory.
First Years, it is my hope that your transition
and your time at the Faculty of Law thus far has been
a rewarding experience, and that your expectations
for the most part have been met. You will be amazed
how fast the years go by. Second
Years, the transition from first year to second year is
not always easy for many. For some, this year is the
most challenging year. I encourage you to persevere
– you are halfway there! Enjoy the journey.
Third Years, the end is in sight, as this is your last
semester. For many, third year is the last opportunity
to improve that GPA and secure that class of honours
that you want and have been working towards. You
know that Law School is near, since January was
spent filling out those applications! I am sure that
many of you are excited to take the next step. Your
first day at Law School will be very exciting, like
your first day at high school. Time will be one of
your greatest resources and the way you manage your
time will be very important.
In closing, I wish all of you the best in your endeav-
ours. To the Executive, continue the hard work, and I
thank you using your time and talent to ensure that
the Cave Hill experience lives on. To those of you
thinking of going up for office, I encourage you do
once you are sure you can manage the responsibili-
ties of position and remain focused on your studies.
May the Law Society continue to grow from strength
to strength!
- Azard Gumbs
Message from Past
President
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 10
UWI Law
Reflections of a Canadian law
Student on exchange with
University of West Indies,
Faculty of Law, Cave Hill
Academics
When it comes to the school side of things,
the academic programme at UWI is very comparable
to what I experience at home in Fredericton, New
Brunswick at the University of New Brunswick. This
was a prerequisite for me even being given the green
light to exchange with UWI in the first place. I had to
ensure my Associate Dean, Janet Austen that I would
be able to fulfill my required courses for graduation
through the programme offered at Cave Hill.
Once on the ground, however, a myriad of
differences began to surface. For example here in
Canada, law students must have an undergrad Bache-
lors’ Degree or equivalent before entering any law
faculty. Further, as in the US, we are required to
complete the LSAT, a standardized entrance exam
that is written on the same day by hopeful law stu-
dents all across North America. After enrollment has
been achieved we work our way through three gruel-
ing years of legal studies much like UWI Law stu-
dents.
Similarities and Differences
However, in contrast to the UWI experience,
Canadian students do not attend two years of law
school once our LLB or JD has been completed.
Written by Andrea Emms
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 11
We are expected while in
school to seek an articled clerk
position with an existing law firm.
Upon graduation we work for one
year with this firm and depending
on jurisdiction write the bar exam
either at the beginning or comple-
tion of this work term. This is a
paid internship so to speak.
The practical application
courses, such as evidence and civ-
il procedure, which are offered to
Caribbean students within law
school, are peppered throughout
Canadian students LLB/JD course
work.
Other differences I noted
were more stylistic, such as how
the university or the professor
structured class lectures. Here at
UNB we do not have tutorial ses-
sions. We are expected to do all
readings and know all material on
our own time. I found this struc-
ture to be helpful in pushing me to
stay on top of material.
Almost all exams at UNB
are open-book, which effects
preparation. For example in crimi-
nal law, we bring the code in with
us and do not need to memorize
statutes. That being said, it is usu-
ally helpful to have as much infor-
mation stored as possible to avoid
wasting time flipping pages in an
exam.
Legal Perspective
Notably, UNB is a very
small school situated in a small
Canadian town. My third year
graduating class has approximate-
ly 75 persons. This was quite dif-
ferent from my experience at UWI
where each year had hundreds of
students. Although, as mentioned
above, we had no tutorial ses-
sions, our professors are able to
make themselves very available
to us to answer questions outside
of class time. Impressively, I
found this to also be the case at
UWI.
Having spent time volun-
teering in St. Lucia going back to
2006, I was interested in how the
legal system of the Caribbean op-
erated. I was very pleased to be
introduced to concepts of Caribbe-
an integration, and in general the
much more international perspec-
tive of law from within the Carib-
bean. It changed how I view Can-
ada’s position in international re-
lations and I’m so grateful for the
opportunity and education.
“...I was interest-
ed in how the le-
gal system of the
Caribbean oper-
ated.“
REFLECTIONS continued
on Page 21
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 12
The Law Trust
Fund: A Ray of Hope
Each year, some watch helplessly as their closest
friends leave UWI prematurely because they cannot
afford to pay tuition fees. Perhaps the situation hits
closer to home – others have themselves had a brush
with Fate – that dreadful letter from the Bursary
warning of placing them on compulsory leave of ab-
sence if fees are not paid before a certain deadline.
Thankfully, since July 2007, on the initiative of, and
with the initial significant contribution of past Facul-
ty dean, Professor Patchett, three less students have
to worry about this problem. Each year, three stu-
dents are granted $3000.00 BDS each, towards tui-
tion fees.
As little as this may seem to the more fortunate
among us, this money is a lifeboat for those to whom
it is granted. It is a glimmer of hope, and the ticket to
the continued fulfilment of a dream.
On that note, ‘Law Lines’ congratulates the Academ-
ic Board of the Faculty of Law on creating another
opportunity for the upliftment of students! Indeed,
this initiative is far-reaching, as it is a helping hand
on the road to becoming great attorneys who will
leave lasting, positive impacts on our society.
Also, it is hoped that this will serve as a good exam-
ple for students, who actively seek ways to give back
to our beloved Faculty. This attitude of giving will
make it easier for us to contribute to the Law Trust
Fund when we are financially better off. That way,
the ‘well’ will never run dry.
EDITORIAL
Do you have an issue that you want us to look into?
E-mail us at: [email protected], subject
line: “LAW EDITORIAL”.
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 13
Letters to the Editor
Commendable Move by Faculty
of Law
The Editor, Madam:
I must commend the Faculty of Law for introducing
new methods of evaluation for students.
For students like me who dread examinations, this is
welcomed change. Tutorial presentations will be grad-
ed and there will mid-semester papers. I believe that
will mitigate the stress of exams because coursework
helps students to determine their comprehension of
specific topics, and this will translate into better prep-
aration for exams. I can only see advantages to this
new system, unless you consider the lecturers and tu-
tors who will have to mark these assignments. How-
ever, if students complete the assignments, they will
have adequate time to get feedback and amend any
mistakes in the reasoning or writing process. This
change is a sign of progress, which is often slow and
painful, but is truly worthwhile.
I tip my hat to the faculty and to the other students
before me who have lobbied for a change in the sys-
tem.
M. Richards
Friendly Rivalry The Editor, Madam:
Law students usually know how to stay in their quiet little cor-
ner, to the point where other students on campus refer to use as
an elitist society.
However, the build-up to Law Week and Sports Day in particular
has made us out to be normal, competitive students. By now,
everyone on campus is familiar with the names of the four hous-
es— Privy Council (red), CCJ (yellow), House of Lords (green)
and of course ICJ( blue). Wherever your loyalties lie (and mine,
by the way, are rooted in ICJ), the preliminary events have
demonstrated that we not only work hard, but we play hard as
well. This is the season we put friendship aside for a little while,
and embrace to colours that divide us. Let friendly rivalry (and
cheers to the best week on campus) continue.
S. Smith
Arctic Circle? The Editor, Madam:
I would just like to draw your attention
(and that of the relevant authorities) to
the unbearable cold of the Law Library.
This state of affairs is certainly not con-
ducive to studying, nor does it encour-
age me as a student to sit in the library
and read. I have to spend money printing
lengthy cases so as to avoid the cold.
The Air Conditioning system ought to
be adjusted, before some of us turn blue
from the cold.
C. Alleyne
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 14
In some parts of the world Febru-
ary is celebrated as Black History
Month. What I am about to say
may be controversial in the eyes of
many, but let me hasten to say that
I am black, I love my race, my her-
itage, my ancestors, - everything
about being black. However, I do
not celebrate ‘Black History
Month’. This is not another rant
about me hating on ‘the oppres-
sors’ or ‘Babylon’, it’s just that the
utopic veil has been lifted from my
eyes.
Years ago my aunt, Valrie Ka-
micka, said, “I don’t celebrate
Black History Month,” she then
went on to explain and that expla-
nation will be expounded upon fur-
ther down. Just this week, my
friend, Petulia Taylor, who is Ja-
maican and of mixed race, pointed
out to me that she did not celebrate
Black History Month because
while growing up she would al-
ways feel left out in a black class-
room as she didn’t have a month in
which her people were acknowl-
edged.
How wonderful it must be to have
an entire month dedicated to cele-
brating your ancestors and the
struggles that they went through to
make them the great people they
are today. Wrong! This is nothing
more than a gruesome reminder of
the hardships our ancestors had to
face to regain their freedom when
in truth all men are equal in the
eyes of the Creator. The slavery
movies that are aired during this
month can actually cause more
harm than good. When you see a
re-enactment of the way a white
person is beating, harming, muti-
lating, trading, raping, abusing,
murdering and devaluing a black
person, it may just cause hatred to
be harboured in your heart towards
all whites. These movies, books,
articles and interviews seek to be a
constant reminder of who we are,
where we are coming from and in
some regards, the fact that they
keep reminding us of this shows
that they have not forgotten. It is
somehow a cruel reminder that
neither should we. Some may feel
that we are being granted a great
opportunity to be reminded of
these struggles.
Why are we the only set of people
being reminded? Why is it that the
other races don’t have months to
celebrate their struggles as well?
We love to feel special but we also
like for our other brothers and sis-
ters of different races to feel equal-
ly special. They tell us that it’s im-
portant for us to know where we’re
coming from in order to know
where we’re going, but if you re-
mind us in a negative way, how do
you expect us to move forward?
What really did they expect to gain
from this?
The Façade of February
Written by Denneil Larmond
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 15
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not
saying that our ancestors should
not be celebrated. However, I’m
saying that we need not be re-
enslaved under the guise of a
‘celebration’. I am all for cultivat-
ing black pride in the hearts of our
people, but why should we set
aside a specific time? We should
celebrate our heritage everyday.
We’re not only black for a twelfth
of the year. We are black 24/7/365.
When we as a people can get to a
point where we say that for Black
History month we’ll wear our
kinky hair to pay tribute to our an-
cestors then we know that we truly
have a problem. We are still men-
tally enslaved. Why not wear your
kinks all year round? Oh, I’m
guessing you’re going to say that it
takes too much effort, is too
‘tough’ and that it’s much easier to
spend money on hair extensions,
weaves and wigs so that society
can ‘accept’ you. If you cannot see
that this is just another form of en-
slavement, I weep for you. We
need to break free of the prisons in
which we have enclosed ourselves.
Bob Marley could not have said it
better:
‘Emancipate yourself from mental
slavery, none but ourselves can free
our minds!’
While on the topic of blacks and
their hair, I could not end without
touching the locs, the rastas, the
‘dreads’ or whatever name you
which to refer to us by. As I
scrolled through my Facebook feed
this morning I saw a post from a
friend: “Western Culture has taught
black people that they have to wear
“appropriate hairstyles. When I
started locing, my Dad told me I
was not in Africa. That’s brainwash
in the system. Black people’s hair
is their crown and should be worn
however and whenever!” I second
this message. I have locs, and peo-
ple have come to me on various
occasions saying things such as:
“You should cut your hair because
I you won’t get a job with that hair-
style.”
“Why did you do that? How is any-
one going to take you seriously in
your profession?”
“Rastas are dunce. You made a stu-
pid mistake.”
“You looked better with your pro-
cessed hair.”
“You have locs, do you wash your
hair? Do you smoke weed?”
All these statements were made by
blacks. The funny thing is that
when non-blacks see my hair or
many other people I know with
locs they commend us on the beau-
ty of it. Society has brainwashed us
so much that some may see nothing
wrong with these statements. When
did we begin to evaluate a person’s
intellectual abilities based on
his/her hairstyle? Who do you feel
to be going around and telling peo-
ple that the way they chose to
groom their hair is unacceptable?
When did it become the norm for
people to be following you once
you enter a store because you’re
black and have locs or have a rasta-
farian hairstyle? As Rasheeda said,
“Rastas get discriminated a yard
but get praised and worshipped
abroad.” Don’t let society dictate to
you what you should be based on
your hairstyle or the pigmentation
of your skin. What is important is
that you know who you are and
your worth in life.
For the month of February and on-
ward do yourself a favour learn to
love yourself and emancipate your-
self from mental slavery.
Denneil Larmond is a Second
Year Law Student. You may read
more of her blogs at
http://direaldenzi.wordpress.com/
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 16
A Look Back
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 17
To Semester One
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 18
We all know which house our Deputy Dean is a part of – ICJ (Blue). And if you didn’t, then you would
have found out on that memorable t-shirt day when we all stood in the boiling sun waiting to be counted.
He was dressed in his bright blue shirt. So, what about the rest of our lecturers? Do they support any
house?
‘Law Lines’ briefly interviewed some of our lecturers to find out what house they are in, and asked them
a few other questions along the way to get to know them a little better. We interviewed Mr. Westmin
James, Mr. Tom Durbin, Mrs. Karen Tesheira and Mr. Samson Owusu.
Lines Asked: Are you a member of any house for Sports Day? If yes, which house is that? Did
you participate in sports as a student? What sport?
“Yes, I intend to attend. I am a member of CCJ – yellow house. I use to cheer for
my house, but I did not participate in any sport activity.”
“I’m not sure which house I am a part of. I think it is Privy Council. I did not attend
school here, however; I participated in cricket and football.”
“Yes. House of Lords. I did not participate in sports but I cheered for my team and
supported sports day.”
Sampson Owusu: “Yes. Blue house (ICJ). I did not participate in sports day, but I
played table tennis.”
Teachers Say...
Mr Tom Durbin
Mrs Karen Tesheira
Mr Sampson Owusu
Mr Westmin James
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 19
REFLECTIONS continued from Page 9
Friends, Food and Culture
Had I chosen to live off-
campus I never would have made
the amount of friends and acquaint-
ances from all across the Caribbean
and the globe, as I did on Frank
Worrell Hall. Sisters of Sarafina on
Block 7 were a super supportive
group of people to live with. I re-
member a lot of laughter, stories,
and delicious dishes being stewed
up on the daily.
At first I was dragging my
feet at participating in the grubbing
activities, which seemed to be
some kind of rites of passage cere-
mony that I didn’t think I needed to
subject myself to. However, when I
got over myself and got out there
and got involved it ended up being
one of the best ways to get to know
people who I was living on hall
with. There really is no better way
of getting to know one another as
getting awoken in the middle of
night by pots and pans and shout-
ing just to be humiliated and ridi-
culed (in my case by people who
are quite a bit younger than me!)
until well after the sun has come
up! I didn’t keep my nametag but I
will never forget my Freshette
namesake. But I will also not men-
tion it here…
It was incredible to me to
get to share and talk with folks
from all over the Caribbean. I
learned so much about each
of the islands and countries
that my flat mates were from.
Time with them was invalua-
ble. It was so interesting to
hear about the unique cultural
and political nuances of each
country. Living on hall was an edu-
cation in itself learning about cur-
rent events and history of the Car-
ibbean.
Beyond that there is culture on hall
that I was so happy to have been a
part of. The activities that are orga-
nized such as the competitions be-
tween blocks and the cultural
weeks pushed people to do the very
best they could. It was an encour-
aging, creative, and inspiring at-
mosphere.
Last but not least, and maybe even
most importantly – the food!! Eve-
ryone was a chef or at least an ap-
prentice. I tasted so many delicious
things that I am missing badly back
here in Canada. Most notably: cur-
ry chicken, fish stew, ackee and
salt fish,
bakes,
doubles,
jerk
chicken,
roti, and
fried
breadfruit (non-exhaustive list).
Thank you for the oppor-
tunity to share my experiences with
“There really is no bet-
ter way of getting to
know one another as
getting awoken in the
middle of night by pots
and pans and shouting
just to be humiliated
and ridiculed…”
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 20
First, there are no ‘reputable’
sources cited in this piece. At least,
not any source that you have come
to accept as reputable. This article
– if I may be bold enough to call it
so – is opinionated and rife with
bias. For those of you enterprising
and objective legal thinkers who
are interested in nothing more than
hearing your own stream of bias,
and of course, achieved the most
enviable marks on your first at-
tempts at Legal Methods, Research
and Writing, you may stop reading
here. Read on, others who scraped
by on humbler grades. To be cer-
tain, at the very end of the day we
have all become products of the
same experience – we are law stu-
dents. This article is completely
skewed – entirely biased – simply
because it has been written by one.
If you are thinking like any kind of
lawyer you should, at this moment,
be fumbling with the question:
well, is she not in fact a reputable
source if she belongs to the group
being discussed? For the slower
thinkers among you, the answer is,
truly, you can have a thousand
good sources in the most biased
argument. Just ask a lawyer.
Indeed, this is the point in your
journey where you will find it nec-
essary to always be asking. Some-
one. Everything. For not one of us
can most confidently declare that
we have developed such skills,
where we can, for the greater per-
centage of the time, simply rely on
our own judgment. The writer
(that’s me) in no way encourages
self-doubt, but calls for the effort
towards pursuit of worthwhile
knowledge. Here is the point. That
is all this headache of life is about
– that is all this dream (and it is a
dream, isn’t it?) of ‘Being A Law-
yer’ entails. It is just finding out
something new. You are some-
where stuck trying to figure out
whether or not this ‘new-ness’ is
worthwhile. If you are not stuck in
this place, it should be because you
have already solved that equation –
and not because you have yet to
read the question. Some of us have
not realized that that problem is
even there. That is how we have
come to be painstakingly manag-
ing to fail the exam.
Understand there is a reason I have
asked if this is ‘the dream’? To be
perfectly honest – it better be. For
as much as some of us may be too
diplomatic to admit, this ‘getting a
law degree’ stuff is not very inter-
esting.
“...As much as
some of us may
be too diplomat-
ic to admit, this
‘getting a law
degree’ stuff is
not very inter-
esting...”
STUDENT, continues on Page 23
On Being a Law Student Written by Mahiri Cunningham
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 21
Life after Cave Hill
So you’ve gotten your LLB, what
do you do now? Whilst some
might think that this is a pretty ob-
vious question, it isn’t necessarily
straightforward. This article will
only raise a few ideas that are
worth being considered. Who
knows what’s the best option for
you?
Law School
Law school is pretty much the
standard choice for most of us.
Whether it is Hugh Wooding, Nor-
man Manley or Eugene Dupuch,
law school provides a different
take on the law that you would not
have been exposed to at university.
No longer will you be concerned
about what the law is, why it exists
in that current state or what can be
done to improve it. Law school is
only concerned with “how”. How
does one bring an action before the
court? How does one effectively
address a client’s needs? How does
one become a more effective advo-
cate? Success at the university
level does not necessarily equal
success at law school, but it is an
interesting experience that gives
you a great feel about what it
means to be a lawyer.
Master’s Degree
So your time at Cave Hill has ex-
posed you to areas of study that
you find completely interesting?
Do you have no interest in prac-
tising law and are more interested
in the actual study of the law?
Consider pursuing a Master’s De-
gree in whichever area suits you. A
Master’s Degree will give you a
more detailed and focused under-
standing on points of law that
piqued your interest during your
LLB.
Other Career Paths
Even though you have a Law de-
gree, this does not mean that you
must practise law. Many CEOs of
successful companies have started
out as lawyers. Kenneth Chenault.
CEO and Chairman of American
Express, Sumner Redstone, CEO
and Chairman of Viacom and
Richard Anderson all studied law
before beginning their successful
careers in business. Even in the
Caribbean, Gerry Brooks COO of
ANSA McAl Group of Companies
also has a law degree. A law de-
gree provides you with the analyti-
cal skills to succeed in business.
Part of answering problem ques-
tions on your exams requires you
to look at a situation from different
points of view. Believe it or not
that’s just what you need to sur-
vive in business!
Remember that these aren’t the
only options but just a few sugges-
tions. There are many paths one
can take after university. It’s up to
you to determine what works best
for you.
- Dane Elliott-Hamilton is the
immediate past Publications Com-
mittee Chairperson. He is cur-
rently pursuing his Legal Educa-
tion Certificate at the Hugh
Wooding Law School in Trinidad.
Written by Dane Elliott-Hamilton
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 22
The History Book
January 28, 2000 was the day the
past grew claws and sunk its teeth
into the depth of my soul. I stood at
the windowpane and watched as
slanting silver gleaming drops of
rain sliced petals off my grand-
mother’s marguerites. Darkness
filled the morning sky as God
threw lightning bolts across the is-
land and breathed thunder, making
the galvanized roofs jerk from side
to side.
The bewitching smell of hot cocoa
drifted through the air of the small
wooden house intertwined with the
aroma of hot bakes on the fire. It
was my birthday, and my mother
and grandmother (who we lovingly
called Mama) were preparing a
special breakfast for me. Another
loud peal of thunder shot through
the air, shaking the windowpanes
as it came and taking the electricity
as it left.
Mama motioned for me to bring the
kerosene lamp to her side and invit-
ed me to sit on her lap. She started
telling me a story about her mother
and as she spoke, words fell out of
the dust-covered history book she
had long kept hidden in the crevic-
es of her memory. Her father was
white with blue-grey eyes of
French descent and her mother was
black with a bloodline deeply root-
ed in Zaire. In her shadow, cast on
the wall by the light of the kerosene
lamp the people came to life. She
reminisced about watching her
mother and grandmother carrying
cane to and from La Sikwi, the old
sugar mill that now lay deserted at
the edge of the village. The lines on
her faced turned into words as she
conjured up the past from the
depths of the abyss that she kept
locked behind the tiny grey cata-
racts that had started to form in her
eyes.
I watched as the past shook itself
free and manifested itself in the
present. It entered my nostrils, my
ears, my mouth and lodged itself
onto the tip of my tongue, readying
itself to be unleashed in my future.
My grandfather’s father was from
India and his mother was one of the
last pure blood Caribs that still
lived in the village. “The blood of
your ancestors”, she said, “se sa te
ban ou lavi; It is what gave you
life”.
My mother pulled me over to her
side and planted an album in my
lap. There were pictures of my
great grandparents, great-great-
grand-parents and so much more.
After I turned 17, the pictures my
mother owned were given to me
and they are among my most prized
possessions. I sometimes take them
out of the little wooden box where
they are kept to look at them or to
show others. These pictures were
the reason I decided to start writing
a book about my family’s history.
And to think I would never have
gotten the inspiration, had it not
been for a freak thunderstorm that
made three generations of women
sit down on a kitchen floor.
Kin-z is a Cross-Faculty Student.
Written by Kin-z Francis
“The blood of your
ancestors...is what
gave you life…”
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 23
Do not lie to me about the sublime
ecstasy you experience diving into
pages and pages of random Law
Lord poetry before they deign to
reveal to you just precisely what
was held in that case. There is the
drudgery of the 8 am class; the
struggle through the tutorial where
the particularly perceptive tutor
persists in gazing into the depths
of your tiny under-prepared soul
while everyone else appears to
have nicely assembled case briefs
flaunting on their desk tops; the
confusion as to why the statute
books and all the wonderfully
worded Constitutions cannot simp-
ly be brought into update with lan-
guage from this century; and then,
the tortured awareness that these
hundred cases are only for this one
topic out of these 15 that you are
required to know, for this one ex-
am out of the five that you are re-
quired to do.
These realities are not fun.
So then, why do we do this? What
purpose, if any, exists? That ques-
tion is one only the particular indi-
vidual can most ably answer,
though I will suggest this: I put to
you that any passion to be drawn
from these realities must emanate
not from the task or the prospect of
performance, but from the per-
former. Drag it out of yourselves.
The inspiration, drive, determina-
tion (whatever sentimental phras-
ing you prefer to use) – reach into
your gut and pull it out. If there is
one thing we will learn from being
on this specific path, it is that the
true pursuer of ‘the dream’ is not
of timid disposition – does not
mute herself or stifle her argument
when she knows it holds rele-
vance. In essence, does not remain
the obstacle in her own path.
So, the point – get used to the fact
that you belong here. When you
have become comfortable with
that truth, make it obvious. Read
the case because you are a better
student knowing that rule, and not
because the tutor will expect you
to repeat it to him. Appreciate the
poetry of Lord Denning, Devlin,
Scarborough [insert your preferred
great legal luminary here]. This
poetry will perhaps enhance your
mind to the point where you real-
ize all that literature isn’t so ran-
dom after all. By all means get ex-
cited about late night reading and
the occasional swatting of the cas-
es. Yes – deny yourself the ever-
tempting beer lime, even once a
month, for you must learn to crea-
tively take your breaks, and then,
without hesitation, dive right back
in.
Here is a frightening truth. The
next time you glance around the
packed lecture theatre, realize that
out of the mass of us there seated,
only a limited number will survive
to the end of the journey. This
statement is not about failure – it is
about persistence. Persisting is an
achievement on its own and it is
one that is only attained if we are
somehow inspired towards it.
Why are you here? Because you
belong here – pursuing a law de-
gree so you may stretch it into
something greater. Whether or not
you actually want to become a
lawyer is to be stressed over in
some other moment of philosophy
– but you do belong here.
Now prove it.
Student continued from Page 20
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 24
This issue’s featured poet is none other than the King of Halls himself (and our beloved Constitutional
Chairperson), Mr. Travis Benain. Travis is a second year student, who is passionate about the arts, inspiring
young people, and being a positive role model and promoting social change through his poetry.
‘When I Grow Up’
By Travis Benain
When I grow up,
I will be nothing but a distant memory forever picking at my mother’s mind,
Nothing but a school uniform drenched in blood as she reminisces in her old, broken and beaten rocking
chair.
Chaining every liberated spirit from my carcass with tears pelting from her eyes,
Like bullets to my chest or led pouring into my flesh.
I can do nothing but stand and watch, listening to her sing old Negro spirituals and church hymns,
Comforted by the thought that her baby is in heaven she sings.
Sounding as if she devoured by lifeless heart, which hasn’t been able to pass her throat, after they took hers
by taking me.
Shhh, Listen!
Can you hear her singing?
Her voice cracking, voice changing, the awfulness of her tone drowned by emotions,
Yet still, she sings.
I stand there flustered, shouting at this woman!
Mom you know what?
I need you to stop crying!
Break these chains because my voice will echo like the sound of a thousand wolves from my grave.
Mom, stop! Be comforted by the fact that I passed the life expectancy of a child in my generation.
These would be men, kill would be children, who could be would be gangsters yes but lawyers and teachers
too,
Mom don’t worry, in May, I would have been 10.
That’s two years older than Kevin Limonth. Buggered, his neck broken and his corpse disposed of by the
beach like an old kitchen rag That’s four years older than Keyana Cumberbatch. Beaten, raped, stuffed in a plastic bag, hidden in a barrel, Like the ones I used to play hide and seek in, “Peek-a-boo….I see you”
Poetry Corner
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 25
The smell of her decomposing carcass illuminating the room. That’s 6 years older than, Natasha
Brown. On her way to
school, beheaded by her father’s lover, tied in a plastic bag and thrown in a sink
hole. That’s 8 years and 2 month older that the 18 month old child buggered
to death by his own uncle. See it’s sad but having a child for a decade
in the Caribbean is slowly becoming extinct!
History has it that white men killed black men, black men killed black men, now black men are killing chil-
dren,
And have the audacity to call such mass genocide, sanitation.
See when you grow up, you can decide what you want to do.
You can go to school, get a degree, get a job, start a family, grow old, retire and die a life filled with empti-
ness.
But as for me, when I grow up, I am going to be the mouth piece for every child that has been robbed the op-
portunity to speak! Because this child has just given me that right.
‘Can You Hear It’
By Sheri Sevanell
Can you hear it?
Can you hear the rumble of hunger?
Can you smell the deprivation all around?
The famine is sweeping like a new broom,
The dry bones get drier and drier still.
Will no one listen to my pains?
I am Hunger.
I am Thirst.
I am your mother Earth.
Will nobody give a listening ear?
A helping hand?
A kind word?
I am a broken spine,
I am your rib-cage showing through your torn meri-
no.
I am your sunken cheekbones.
I am Hunger.
Can you see the gust of wind
Lifting my body - paper - off the ground?
And yet you dine in fine style,
Feast on the best of food.
But for me?
Scraps of nothing.
So here I am, Hunger, Screaming at you!
Will you hear me
Above the humdrum of your own satisfaction?
Will you hear me?
I am calling out with a LOUD Cry...
Can you hear it?
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 26
Real Views In each issue, ‘Law Lines’ takes to the pathways of the campus in search of views on trending top-
ics. This time, we asked, “What do you think about legalizing marijuana in the Caribbean?”
Marijuana use has been a part of the Caribbean culture from as far back as the Amerindians were in occu-
pation. History books have recorded how smoking this herb was a religious ritual which enable our an-
cestors to speak to their gods when they were in search of guidance and assistance. Later, it was largely
Rastafarians who popularized the use of marijuana for religious as well as recreational smoking. Now,
even though the possession and use of the substance are strict liability offences in most of our legislation
(see, for example, sections 7A and 7B, Dangerous Drugs Act Jamaica), many people smoke marijuana in
the region. In fact, it is easily accessible and inexpensive. With some governments in the region ponder-
ing the economic viability and the social implications of decriminalizing its use, and with some places in
North America already going ahead with legalization, we found it quite refreshing to see what students
had to add to the debate.
The following are their views:
“Legalize it. There’s a right to privacy and to choose what you want to do. Cannabis is a drug such
as tobacco or any other over-the-counter drug, and it will clear up the black market and violence
that comes with it.” - KR
“Legalize it. It could be used for medicinal purposes and will take away a lot of the allure. It cer-
tainly is a big source of revenue. And it is a lot safer than other drugs.” – EP
“It’s neither here nor there for me. I don’t smoke. But for medical purposes? Regulate it. The
question is: How are we going to regulate it? And how will it be enforced?” – X
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 27
“No, I don’t think it should be legalized. Legalizing it would cause people to abuse it.” – TD
“I think it’s about time [that we legalize it]. From an economic standpoint, there is something called
‘comparative advantage’ and we have that. In other places where it is legal, they have a demand for
it, so places like Jamaica (where it is in abundance and better quality) can sell it for revenue to places
where it is legal and there is a demand…It is not a drug – it is not chemically enhanced. It could be-
come a drug but its uses are mostly recreational. With regulation, it would bring about a greater con-
trol of marijuana, and produce more options for a small and developing state’s economy.” – RA
“Legalizing now would not make sense because everybody is planting their own stuff now. So there is
no money to get, unless we plant different types, go to different parishes depending on the types of
fertilizers they use.” – JE
“It’s taboo because it’s been stigmatized so long.” – Z
“It should be done. It can generate a lot of income, can be controlled, and it can be challenged on un-
constitutionality and privacy issues if you are smoking in your own home.” – DA
“I don’t see anything wrong with it. I don’t think they should legalize it. I think they should decrimi-
nalize it. Decriminalization is more of a regulatory thing.” – TS
“[Legalizing is] not a bad move. But our people won’t know to use it to our benefit.” – CS
“Legalizing it would be a good thing, but we need to educate the public first. I think the masses are
looking at it like, “Free the weed”, but no substance.” – DM
What do YOU think about the legalization of marijuana in the Caribbean? SEND us an e-mail at
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 28
Flashback Continues… CGF
Mooting Competition.
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 29
Volume 5, Issue 1 LAW LINES 30
Law Lines is a publication of the Publications Committee of the UWI Cave Hill Law
Society. All rights reserved.
© 2014
Faculty of Law
University of the West Indies
Cave Hill Campus
Barbados
UWI Cave Hill Law Society
Credits E-mail: [email protected]
Chief Editor
Ms Sherene Francis
Managing Editor
Ms Opal Pitter
Photographs
Ms Jeneice St Romain
Ms Samara Reid
Graphics
Mr Christopher Harper
Ms Sherene Francis
Writers
Mr Marvin Richards
Ms Kin-z Francis
Ms Sherene Francis
Ms Mahiri Whitingham
Contributors
Ms Andrea Emms
Mr Jeff Cumberbatch
Mr Dane Elliott-Hamilton
Mr Azard Gumbs
Mr Travis Benain