Anand Ramlogan Explained

Anand Ramlogan
Office:Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago
Term Start:28 May 2010
Term End:2 February 2015
Predecessor:John Jeremie
Successor:Garvin Nicholas
Birth Place:Ben Lomond, San Fernando, Victoria County, Trinidad and Tobago
Party:United National Congress
Spouse:Nalini Nanan
Alma Mater:University of the West Indies, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of Westminster
Occupation:Attorney at Law S.C.

Anand Ramlogan is a member of the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands.[1] He is the founder and head of Freedom Law Chambers which is based in the city of San Fernando, Trinidad. He served as junior counsel to the late Sir Fenton Ramsahoye QC[2] in whose footsteps he followed to become the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago during the period 28 May 2010 – 2 February 2015.[3] As Attorney General, he was also the titular head of the bar.

Ramlogan is also a constitutional and human rights lawyer, having been called to the bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 and the bar of England and Wales in 1994 and was appointed Senior Counsel on 30 December 2011. He was awarded the prestigious Express Individual of the Year award in 2004 joining a distinguished list of recipients that includes former Chief Justice Michael DeLabastide, Prime Ministers, Presidents and other prominent citizens for his outstanding work in successfully representing ordinary citizens whose rights were violated by the government.[4]

He is a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (U.K.), the holder of an L.L.B. degree and a Master's in Corporate and Commercial Law.[5] Ramlogan is one of the top legal minds in the Caribbean. He frequently appears in leading cases for or against the state in the superior courts including the London-based final appellate court, the Privy Council where he has done numerous appeals. His recent cases in the Privy Council include:

Education

He received his primary education at the Reform Presbyterian School and secondary schooling at ASJA Boys' College and Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive, in San Fernando.[19] On completing secondary school, he entered the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, Barbados, to read for his Bachelor of Laws degree where he won several prizes for academic excellence including the Mark of Merit and best all round student.

Ramlogan was awarded several post-graduate scholarships and read for his LLM (in corporate and commercial law) at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London (now known as the Queen Mary University). Whilst at the Queen Mary & Westfield, he simultaneously pursued a post-graduate diploma in Law at the University of Westminster, courtesy the British Chevening Scholarship and the British Foreign Office Scholarship programme.[19]

Private practice

He is an advocate who is known for his pioneering work in the field of human rights, constitutional and public law where he represents the interests of the average man against the government. He uses the instrument of the law to achieve social transformation and many of his cases have prompted significant changes in the law. He gives advice on a wide range of matters to public officials and lawyers in other Caribbean countries. He is admitted to practice in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), St Lucia and Anguilla.

His recent legal exploits include successful challenges to the appointment of Gary Griffith as Commissioner of Police,[20] constitutional challenges to the Proceeds of Crime Act[21] and the property tax legislation[22] which effectively prevented the government from implementing the property tax for over 5 years.

He has appeared in over 50 Privy Council appeals[23] and has also appeared before the Caribbean Court of Justice. Recent cases before the UK-based Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council (the highest court for Trinidad and Tobago) include:

He has done numerous cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal in breach of contract, defamation, discrimination, police brutality, medical negligence, personal injuries and commercial law.

Political and journalistic activities

Mr. Ramlogan has a distinguished record in public service and has served on many committees and statutory bodies such as the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the Law Reform Commission, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Commission of Enquiry into the Administration of Justice and the Vision 2020 plan for Constitutional Reform.[36]

Anand entered politics as a candidate for the Congress of the People (COP) under the leadership of Professor Winston Dookeran. He contested the seat for the constituency of Tabaquite in 2007 but subsequently re-joined the United National Congress after Kamla Persad-Bissessar was elected political leader.[37] He was subsequently appointed a government senator and Attorney General.[38]

Prior to his appointment as Attorney General, Ramlogan was a prominent lawyer who had become a household name for championing the legal cause of many poor and downtrodden citizens. He also won many historic cases against the People's National Movement government for persons such as former CEO of the San Fernando City Corporation Marlene Coudray, Devant Maharaj, Feroza Ramjohn, George Daniel and Damien Belfonte.[39]

Anand was also an active member of the media, hosting a radio talk show with radio 90.5 FM, was a columnist with the leading daily newspapers, the Sunday Guardian, the Express and the Newsday newspapers for many years.[40] His views are sought after by the media on a wide range of legal, social and political issues.  

Attorney generalship

On 26 May 2010, two days after the success of the People's Partnership in the 2010 General Election, Anand Ramlogan was appointed a Senator and Attorney General by Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Under Section 75 (2) of the constitution, the Attorney General must be appointed forthwith after the prime minister in order for the Cabinet to be properly established.[41]

In 2019, Ramlogan was charged with misconduct in public office.[42]  He maintained that he was the victim of political conspiracy. The charges were eventually discontinued by the DPP after it was discovered that millions of dollars had been secretly paid by the new PNM Government to the prosecution's lone witness as part of an undisclosed illicit indemnity agreement.[43] [44]

Former independent senator and president of the law association Martin Daly SC said it was akin to bounty hunting.[45]  

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-02-02. Our Team » Freedom Law Chambers. 2021-04-09. en-US.
  2. Web site: 2019-02-01. Privy Council pays tribute to Sir Fenton. 2021-04-09. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. en-US.
  3. Web site: PAST ATTORNEY GENERALS – Ministry of the AGLA. 2021-04-09. en-US.
  4. Web site: Anand Ramlogan. 2021-05-03. Trinidad Express Newspapers. en.
  5. Web site: Law - Queen Mary University of London. 2021-04-09. www.qmul.ac.uk.
  6. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2023-05-19 . Privy Council: Local government extension wrong – LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . 2023-05-25 . newsday.co.tt . en-US.
  7. Web site: Ravi Balgobin Maharaj (Appellant) v The Cabinet of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and another (Respondents) (Trinidad and Tobago) .
  8. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2022-12-19 . Privy Council restores $2m award for abused teen - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . 2023-01-02 . newsday.co.tt . en-US.
  9. Web site: Wilson . Sascha . Privy Council upholds $2M award to teen victim for severe sex trauma at state facilities . 2023-01-02 . www.guardian.co.tt . en.
  10. Web site: Wake-up call for all . 2023-01-02 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.
  11. Web site: Court . The Supreme . Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (Appellant) v Akili Charles (Respondent) No 2 (Trinidad and Tobago) - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council . 2022-09-26 . www.jcpc.uk.
  12. Web site: Ramdass . Rickie . It's now the law: State loses appeal, murder accused can apply for bail . 2022-09-26 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.
  13. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2022-07-28 . Ramlogan: Battle for bail was never about freeing criminals . 2022-09-26 . Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . en-US.
  14. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2022-07-28 . Privy Council settles law, allows bail for murder . 2022-09-26 . Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . en-US.
  15. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2022-12-08 . Privy Council awards $275,000 to murdered ex-murder accused - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . 2023-01-02 . newsday.co.tt . en-US.
  16. Web site: Achong . Derek . Deceased ex-murder accused wins $.2M from state . 2023-01-02 . www.guardian.co.tt . en.
  17. Web site: 'A COLOSSAL MISSTEP' . 2023-01-02 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.
  18. Web site: Loutoo . Jada . 2022-11-03 . Privy Council: Petrotrin must pay contractor $4.8m - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday . 2023-01-02 . newsday.co.tt . en-US.
  19. Web site: Current Members. ttparliament.org. 19 October 2015.
  20. Web site: Appointment of Gary Griffith as acting CoP null and void. 2022-02-08. www.guardian.co.tt. en.
  21. Web site: 2021-05-20. Businessman, wife win challenge over $1m held under Proceeds of Crime Act. 2022-02-08. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. en-US.
  22. Web site: 2022-01-14. Appeal Court rules first property-tax collection exercise illegal. 2022-02-08. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. en-US.
  23. Web site: Doughty Street Chambers Profile View. live. 14 April 2021. Doughty Street Chambers. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303084736/https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/print/pdf/node/236 . 3 March 2021 .
  24. Web site: Fishermen and Friends of the Sea v Environmental Management Authority and Others - [2018] UKPC 24]. 2021-04-15. vLex. en.
  25. Web site: Fishermen and Friends of the Sea v Environmental Management Authority and others. live. 14 April 2021. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127003857/https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/docs/jcpc-2018-0055-judgment.pdf . 27 January 2021 .
  26. Web site: 2019-05-31. Christopher Knight in Privy Council FOIA Appeal. 2021-04-15. 11KBW. en-US.
  27. Web site: Maharaj v Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd - [2019] UKPC 21]. 2021-04-15. vLex. en.
  28. Web site: Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Maharaj (Trinidad and Tobago). live. 14 April 2021. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415034906/https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/docs/jcpc-2017-0072-judgment.pdf . 15 April 2021 .
  29. Web site: Achong. Derek. Privy Council rules JLSC not properly constituted. 2021-04-15. www.guardian.co.tt. en.
  30. Web site: 2019-01-31. Devant wins at Privy Council. 2021-04-15. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. en-US.
  31. Web site: Equitable governance?. live. 2021-04-15. www.guardian.co.tt. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416075200/https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.324390.e1c715ebda . 16 April 2021 .
  32. Web site: Court. The Supreme. Commissioner of Prisons and another (Respondents) v Seepersad and another (Appellants) (Trinidad and Tobago) - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 2021-04-15. www.jcpc.uk.
  33. Web site: Court. The Supreme. Central Broadcasting Services Ltd and another (Appellants) v The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 2021-04-15. www.jcpc.uk.
  34. Web site: Court. The Supreme. Seukeran Singh (Respondent) v Commissioner of Police (Appellant) (Trinidad and Tobago) - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 2021-04-15. www.jcpc.uk.
  35. Web site: Court. The Supreme. Singh (Appellant) v Public Service Commission (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 2021-04-15. www.jcpc.uk.
  36. Web site: Trinidad and Tobago Parliament. 2021-04-15. www.ttparliament.org.
  37. Web site: Ramlogan: No room for third party in T&T. live. 2021-04-15. www.guardian.co.tt. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415193218/https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.330588.0ed71e8ec3 . 15 April 2021 .
  38. Web site: Anand Ramlogan is AG. 2021-04-15. www.guardian.co.tt. en.
  39. Web site: Achong. Derek. Privy Council: Revocation and veto by Manning unfair. 2021-04-15. www.guardian.co.tt. en.
  40. Web site: Caribbean Mission Report. live. 14 April 2021. International Press Institute. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415034901/http://legaldb.freemedia.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Caribbean-Mission-Report.pdf . 15 April 2021 .
  41. Web site: Archived copy . 2012-12-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121015103052/http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Constitution.pdf . 15 October 2012 . dmy .
  42. Web site: DPP discontinues corruption charges against Ramlogan . 2022-10-31 . www.guardian.co.tt . en.
  43. Web site: Egg on Govt's face . 2022-10-31 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.
  44. Web site: Questions that will not be silenced . 2022-10-31 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.
  45. Web site: Akin to bounty hunting . 2022-10-31 . Trinidad Express Newspapers . en.

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