#TurksandCaicos, February 8, 2021 – An esteemed member of the Caribbean judiciary died on Sunday, leaving those who cherished him as family, friend, colleague and accomplished judge with memories of the good times and his celebrated service, deeply saddened at the loss.
“Very
sad news. Former President of the Court
of Appeal, Justice Paul Harrison, in my humble opinion one of the finest judges
every to sit on the Jamaican Bench, has died.
This is an irreparable loss to the regional Judiciary,” said Gordon
Robinson, in a Tweet on Sunday around 5:46pm.
Less
than two hours later, Her Ladyship
Justice Mabel Agyemang, Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands
issued a statement.
“It
is with heavy hearts that the Chief Justice and members of the Judiciary of the
Turks and Caicos Islands announce the death of the Hon. Mr. Justice Paul
Harrison…”
Judge
Harrison, who died in his native Jamaica, had recently taken ill, explained the
Chief Justice in the media release.
“On
10 July 2012, Justice Harrison was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court
and was assigned to preside over the R v Michael Misick & Ors because of
his hard work and proven integrity. He gave of his best to the judiciary of the
Turks and Caicos Islands in the 8 years that he presided over that trial. He will be remembered with affection and
respect.”
Harrison
led the precedent setting trial, as the first judge to preside over a juryless
trial in the UK overseas territory. The case
before him was also singular in nature as it charged a former premier, his
deputy and several cabinet ministers with malfeasance and abuse of power while
in office from 2003 to 2007.
Just
last month, Harrison agreed to a plea deal which granted a suspended sentence
to one of the accused – Lillian Boyce upon the condition she repaid a one
million dollar penalty to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The
month prior, the high court judge disagreed with a legal argument asking him to
return to the Turks and Caicos for continuation of the protracted trial. The Justice explained the high risk for
Covid-19 rating in the Turks and Caicos and advice for his vulnerable age-group
to avoid risks were the reasons for his firm decision to carry on the trial,
virtually.
Harrison
was originally expected to complete the trial in 2014; that was seven years
ago.
In announcing the
selection of the retired judge to hear the case back in 2012, the nation
learned Harrison, a native of Jamaica, had previously served as president
of Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, a judge of its Supreme Court and a Crown Counsel
in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica, among other
positions.
He was admitted to the bar
in London in 1969 as a member of Lincoln’s Inn.
At
the time of his startling death, Judge Harrison was 84 years old and already
there is steady stream of condolences to his family over social media.
“I
am totally heartbroken over this. What a gentleman. What a scholar. What a loss.
May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to his family,” was a
Tweet from Annaliesa E Lindsay.
“Heartfelt sadness and may God’s richest
blessings comfort his family,” said Byron Ward, on Twitter.
“My
sincere condolences to Dirk and the rest of his family. May his soul Rest In Peace,” expressed VM3 on
the same Twitter feed.
Chief
Justice Agyemang informed that a special sitting in his
memory would be announced, adding “May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
