Frustration, corruption of the legal
system in Berbice
Dear Editor,
I am very frustrated and fed up with the legal system in Berbice. My father, Ramdarsan Pooran, bought his late mother’s property in 2002. The agreement of sale was prepared by Mr Charandass Persaud who is now a legal practitioner.
Mr Persaud in 2010 made representation to claim the same property for someone else. Unfortunately the judge did not allow him to represent his client because he was the key witness that the property was sold to my father.
My father legal representative was Mr Doorsami (paid $150,000). My father who has a stroke attended the court hearing for a few weeks in Guyana but these kept being postponed each time.
The late Senior Counsel, Mr. Mr Crawford, showed empathy for my father’s illness and stood up in court and pleaded for the judge to try the case. Mr Doorsami, although present each time at the Land Court hearing, said very little.
The following week a decision was made by the judge and legal practitioners, without a CASE HEARING in the absence of my parents. My father was told by Mr Doorsami that he (my father) was given right for the property but could not occupy it until he made an application for a transport. Mr Doorsami arranged for the land to be surveyed and publication made. The action was opposed.
I became very suspicious of Mr Doorsami’s representation in court and after the Judge’s decision. Mr Bacchus was contacted and was happy to take the case. Mr Bacchus had to redraw the Petition because Mr Doorsami, an experienced legal practitioner and former Land Court Judge, made errors with the Petition. Mr Bacchus’s legal fee is $300,000 and was paid $200,000 as requested.
In November 2012 I had written to Mr Anil Nandlall about my concern regarding Mr C. Persaud’s legal practice (copy of documents sent to Mr Nandlall). I had made several contacts via email to the Minister who always makes promises that he never fulfils. I have attached Mr Nandlall’s emails.
The Land Court Hearing has been going on since 2010 and this is 2014. We are still waiting for a court hearing. I had made contact with Mr Bacchus’s clerk, several times.
The last was April 8, who said that the case can take another year or two.
Who is responsible for the Efficiency, Transparency and Legal practices within the Legal System? How many years does one need for a Land Court Case?
I would very much appreciate an enquiry into this matter.
Thank you.
Chanderdai Pooran