News
TCI: Attorney General’s Chambers Appoints New Crown Counsel and Senior Crown Counsel
#TurksandCaicos, January 11, 2018 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney General’s Chambers is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Chassidy Swann to the post of Crown Counsel and Mrs. Shayone Handfield-Gardiner to the post of Senior Crown Counsel. Ms. Handfield-Gardiner who previously held the position of Crown Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers, holds a LLB and a recently earned Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Leeds.
Commenting on her appointment Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner said; “I am humbled, yet proud to be working in a country where young women are encouraged to break glass ceilings and take on roles that were once only reserved for middle- aged men. Given the great leadership of our Attorney General, I am delighted to have been appointed as the Senior Crown Counsel in the International Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“Having worked in the Chambers since 2010, it is my earnest desire to continue to contribute to the ever-evolving demands and obligations of the legal industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The law, like any living organism, must change or be updated as our communities improve. The same way lawyers are meant to continuously update themselves to meet the demands of the legal profession. It’s against this backdrop that I decided to return to the United Kingdom to read my LLM in International Law. This provided me with the opportunity to improve my knowledge and skills thus making me a greater asset to Chambers. My commitment to the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government remains steadfast.
“The decision to return to school represented a considerable sacrifice of time away from work and my family as well as finances on my part. However, I remain grateful to the Deputy Governor and her team as I was able to receive two $5,000.00 grants from the Professional Development Fund towards the cost of my studies.
“I wish to encourage my colleagues in the Public Sector to continue to explore funding opportunities such as the Professional Development Fund which provides financial assistance to enable you to excel academically in your desired profession. Your commitment to your education serves also as a testament to your dedication to your personal development and which puts you in a better position knowledge- wise to serve your country.”
Ms. Swann who holds a Diploma with Honours in Land Economy and Valuation Surveying from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH), obtained an LLB from the University of Buckingham in 2010 and in 2012 was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice upon successful completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the Manchester campus of BPP University College.
During the period 2013-2016, Ms. Swann worked as a Paralegal at Minnis & Company in the Bahamas before joining the Attorney General’s Chambers in September 2016 as a temporary Crown Counsel in the place of Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner who was on study leave at the time and was called to the TCI Bar in July 2017.
Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner having completed her studies in September 2017 has been successfully promoted to the role of Senior Crown Counsel through open competition. Ms. Swann through open competition has been successfully appointed to permanently replace Mrs. Shayone Handfield-Gardiner as Crown Counsel within the Chambers.
Commenting on her appointment Ms. Swann said; “I am very pleased to have been appointed Crown Counsel (Commercial/Civil) with the Attorney General’s Chambers. I am confident that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the Chambers and remain grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
Attorney General, Honourable Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles is pleased to have both ladies in her Chambers and said; “I am very pleased to welcome the appointments of Mrs. Shayone Handfield-Gardiner to the post of Senior Crown Counsel and Ms. Chassidy Swann to the post of Crown Counsel.
“Both appointments are part of my efforts at succession planning within my Chambers and these appointments are a testament to the solid work ethic of each counsel and their commitment to professional development. Shayone having just completed her Master’s Degree in Law and Chassidy having recently been admitted to the TCI Bar (following her in service training in my Chambers) will be valuable assets to the Government in these new roles. Shayone joins the recently established international division and Chassidy joins the commercial division.”
Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended both ladies on their appointments and said; “It is with great pleasure that I take the opportunity to congratulate both Shayone and Chassidy on their appointments. Shayone has been an ardent worker over the years and I commend her on her decision to upgrade her skills which assisted in her promotion to the role of Senior Crown Counsel. As she joins the International Division of the Chambers we will certainly miss her advice and guidance in routine TCIG matters, but am certain that she will do well.
“Chassidy during her short time with us, fully utilized her temporary employment to prove that a permanent place in the Chambers should be made for her and we are happy to have her and will certainly ensure that she is kept very busy! Congratulations ladies on appointments well deserved!”
Press Release: TCIG
Wilkie Arthur
Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 15, 2024 – It was an uneasy night on Tuesday May 14 for some residents of Five Cays, Providenciales owing to continuous, serious fire power with gun shots blaring in various areas of the community.
Some say they heard shots in Granny Hill and reported a man walking around with a gun, randomly shooting at unidentifiable targets. Some say shots were heard behind the Enid Capron Primary School. Some say they heard gun shot sounds coming from a residential area as well.
The most compelling accounts, however, were on reported events in another area called “The Wells”; a community in the depths of Five Cays and South Dock.
Criminals took on law enforcement in a gun battle involving the armored truck and a CID vehicle.
No members of the Royal TCI Police were hit.
Not the same for the other side. One person was hit, a young man not known to police and it’s not clear if he was one of the men shooting at the police or an innocently caught in the crossfire.
The man was arrested as a possible suspect. He is also in hospital with an “entrance and exit” gunshot wound.
During the shootout in The Wells, the CID vehicle was shot at repeatedly, disabling its movement as gunfire damaged the engine. Concerning to us, these shootings were at different times and locations but came in rapid succession; one right after the other, I was told.
Most described the sounds as coming “from some big guns.”
Police the morning after allowed me in to see up close.
Video, photos feature my EXCLUSIVE, close-up look at the damage done by criminals; it is clear high powered rifles were used by these suspects still at large.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – A gruesome discovery was made around midday today (Sunday, May 19th, 2024) when police and fire rescue teams responded to a call at a location on Blue Hills Back Road, off Millennium Highway. The area, situated next to the Fortis Sub-Station, is accessible via a long, secluded dirt road.
Upon arrival, authorities found a vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was later removed by police after being alerted by
an anonymous source to its burnt-out location. Local residents indicated that the fire had been ignited around 2-3 a.m. earlier that morning, but authorities were not notified until later in the day.
Residents could not provide details about the individual inside the vehicle or even discern its color due to the extensive damage caused by the fire. Videos of the discovery location are available, but footage of the vehicle itself will be provided once it has been located. The vehicle was reportedly still burning when police arrived at the scene.
Official Royal TCI Police Report:
Media Release – May 19th, 2024: Active Investigation Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) are currently on the scene of a vehicle fire in the Blue Hills, Providenciales area. Acting on received information, officers arrived at the location along North Side Close and discovered a burnt vehicle with what appeared to be a body inside.
The RTCIPF is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of this incident. As this is an active investigation, more details will be provided to the public as they become available.
May 21, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and or ammunition without a licence and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Our Firearms Ordinance, which was amended in 2022, states that:
No person (other than a licensed gunsmith in the course of his trade) shall have in his possession, discharge or use any firearm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a firearm licence with respect to such firearm, or in case of ammunition he is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition.
Firearm and/or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. Where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.
The Chief Justice is advancing sentencing guidelines in respect of the application of exceptional circumstances. Wider work is also ongoing with criminal justice partners to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression, in driving justice outcomes.
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and/or ammunition. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Travellers are also strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. Such offences will result in arrest.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system, and reserves the right to enforce its laws. All persons, including visitors, must follow lawful process.
The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. Equally, the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden, unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.
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