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The Eulalie Byron Law Library is Now A Reality

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Justice and Legal

 
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HIGHLIGHTS

On Tuesday 14th December 2021 the Eulalie Law Library was officially inaugurated to the Sir Lee Llewellyn More Judicial and Legal Services Complex
Ms. Eulalie Byron, first black appointee librarian in the federation, came out of retirement to assist with the rebuilding of public library
Sir Tapley has been an advocate for the facility in the wake of the 1982 fire that destroyed the original courthouse building and public library
The Prime Minister Hon Dr. Harris indicated that the law library represents a jewel in the crown of the legal infrastructure and will be beneficial to all
The Eulalie Byron Law Library is expected to undergo further build out over the course of the next few months into 2022.

A long-held vision of His Excellency Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton came to fruition on Tuesday 14th December 2021 when a brand-new state of the art Law Library was officially inaugurated as part of the Opening Ceremony of the Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton Annex to the Sir Lee Llewellyn More Judicial and Legal Services Complex. This was a crowning moment in the provision of noteworthy literary facilities for ease of access by the local legal fraternity as well as other citizens.

Sir Tapley had been an advocate for the establishment of such a facility in the wake of the 1982 fire that had destroyed the original courthouse building and public library. He had also chaired a special committee that had been established to spearhead the restoration of the legal services complex following the fire.

Ms. Eulalie Byron (in whose honour the Law Library was now being named as part of the ceremony) is known to have been the first black appointee to the position of librarian in the State of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla and served from the early 1960s to the early 1980s. She is reputed to have voluntarily come out of retirement to assist with the rebuilding of public library services following the destruction by the afore-mentioned fire. She is also known to have used her network of international and regional connections (UK and the Caribbean) to harness the resources required to restore the library services to their former glory.

While delivering the Feature Address at the ceremony, Attorney General Byron expounded on the merits of the new addition to the support services being offered by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs:

“It is [] the first specialized Public Library in the Federation and for this we are duly proud. With the advent of this Library, judges, magistrates, practitioners, litigants in person, students and the general public will be able to utilize the available resources. Online search engines, updated law journals and various specialized law books will all be available in the library. There will also be a reading room [], dedicated to persons who wish to sit quietly and conduct research.

A trained Librarian is already on staff. [] She has laid the groundwork and is ready to have the library fully operational. So, at this juncture, it is envisioned that our law students (CFBC and those pursuing online courses) will be able to utilize the services of the library to enhance their learning and research capabilities. The librarian and support staff will also be on hand to give assistance when requested.”

The President of the St. Kitts Nevis Bar Association Mr. Garth Wilkin who was invited to deliver Remarks described the new law library as “an appreciated addition to [the] legal profession….. a game changer for many persons in the profession”

The Prime Minister Hon Dr. Harris in making his Remarks also spoke glowingly regarding the law library indicating that it represents a jewel in the crown of the legal infrastructure that will benefit the legal fraternity and all other interested persons.

Of great significance was the role played by experienced law librarian Professor Velma Newton CBE, SCM who is the Officer-in-Charge, Caribbean Law Institute Centre and Regional Director of the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project. She was instrumental in facilitating the procurement of large volumes of the literary stock of the library. She delivered Remarks at the ceremony via a virtual platform, extending commendations to the Government and people of the Federation on the achievement of the new facility and Law Library.

The Eulalie Byron Law Library is expected to undergo further build out of both physical and digital infrastructure over the course of the next few months into 2022.

It is the principal mission of the Office of the Attorney General to provide legal advice and services to and on behalf of The Crown, and to conduct and respond to all matters of litigation for and against The Crown or any Ministry or Agency of the Government.

Importantly, its mandate includes the extensive oversight of the legislative agenda of the Government.

The Office of the Attorney General also provides administrative support for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and superintends all matters relating to the Electoral Office.

Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs

The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs ensures that the rule of law is facilitated and supported by the various mechanisms by which citizens can have equal access to the justice system and by which they can be afforded the protection of the law. It also takes responsibility for ensuring that the statutes are updated and modernized to keep pace with an evolving society.

Quick and convenient access to important and noteworthy matters relevant to entities under the Office of the Attorney General and departments within the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Hon. Garth Wilkin
Attorney General

Ms. Diana Francis
Permanent Secretary

(Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs)

The Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General is chiefly responsible for providing legal counsel and advice to the Executive Branch of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. The functioning of the Office is rooted in the Constitution and is further detailed by the provisions of the Attorney General’s Act Cap 3.02 of the laws of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

One of the more prolific manifestations of the advisory functions of the Office of the Attorney General is its contribution to the legislative agenda of the government. As such, the responsibility of preparation of all legislation: from conceptualization to the presentation of Bills and the crafting of Regulations falls within the purview of the office.

Get In Touch

Government Headquarters,
Church Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

+1(869) 467-1013

attorneygeneral@gov.kn

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