CARICOM mourns loss of ‘true legal giant’

The Caribbean Community is mourning the death of a Justice Duke Pollard, a “true legal giant” whose contribution to the development of the Community will not be forgotten.

Justice Pollard died on Tuesday.

In a message of condolence, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, said Justice Pollard has a well-earned reputation as one of the Region’s foremost legal luminaries.

“His agile legal mind and practical approach was instrumental in assisting to draft the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy in his role as Legal Adviser to the CARICOM Secretary-General,” Dr. Barnett said.

Please see the Secretary-General’s Condolence Message below:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mourns the loss of Justice (ret) Duke Pollard.

Justice Pollard has a well-earned reputation as one of the Region’s foremost legal luminaries. His agile legal mind and practical approach was instrumental in assisting to draft the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy in his role as Legal Adviser to the CARICOM Secretary-General. He also served the Secretariat as the Director of the CARICOM Legislative Drafting Facility.

Justice Pollard was deeply involved in drafting many of the agreements and protocols relating to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He was elevated to the Bench of the CCJ and served in that role for five years. After retirement from the CCJ, Justice Pollard devoted his experience and skills to the Law Faculty of the University of Guyana.

A prolific author, he has left behind a significant body of studies, articles, monographs, and texts on a variety of legal topics from which generations of legal scholars and practitioners have benefitted.

The Community extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Justice Pollard and to the Government and people of Guyana on the loss of a true legal giant whose contribution to the development of the Caribbean Community will not be forgotten.”

I am extremely saddened by the loss of Justice (ret) Duke Pollard. His immense contribution to the jurisprudence of our Community and his work towards the establishment of the CCJ and as a member of the Court assures his legacy

— CARICOM Secretary General (@SG_CARICOM) September 13, 2022

Source: CARICOM TODAY