As in the previous years, Complaints Commissioner Elton Georges told the Standing Finance Committee recently that his office would function better with a legal professional on staff.
Mr. Georges again requested the office bring in a qualified lawyer, later adding that this person could split work between his office and the planned Human Rights Commission.
Though he explained that the commissioner himself need not have legal training, lawyers are commissioners in other jurisdictions, such as Bermuda and St. Maarten.
“If the CC were a lawyer, that person’s legal knowledge would be useful for carrying out the daily functions of the office,” Mr. Georges told the committee, according to a report on the proceedings.
Asked by Fifth District Representative Dolores Christopher whether it was the office’s intention to offer “a free legal service to the public,” Mr. Georges explained that the office is actually forbidden from investigating matters that could reasonably be resolved in court.
Instead, he said, the staff lawyer would advise the commissioner “on the pertinent law for a matter being investigated.”
Asked by Third District Representative Julian Fraser whether the required legal opinions could be obtained from the Attorney General’s Chambers, Mr. Georges explained that the AG would be responsible for advising departments that were being investigated, so there would be a conflict.
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