The Anguilla Bar Association began observing its Second Annual Law Week with a series of activities which commenced on Sunday, May 18, under the theme Be Informed. Be Involved. Be Empowered.The opening activity was a service at the Central Baptist Church at Rey Hill.

The Senior Minister, Pastor Cecil Richardson, in welcoming the members of the Bar to the service, commended them for giving back to the Anguillian community through a number of ways. He singled out Pro Bono Day, when the lawyers afforded members of the public the opportunity to obtain free consultation on their legal needs, at Wallblake Conference Centre on Tuesday, May 20, from 12 noon to 6 pm.

“This is not is the first time that a lot of people have received assistance from the Bar Association at no cost, and I think that is commendable,” he told his congregation, urging applause for the members of the Bar. “They not only take fees, but also give back of their time and expertise, and I certainly appreciate that,” the Pastor added, as he also commended Mr John Benjamin, a former President of the Bar for blazing the trail.
Earlier, Mrs Josephine Gumbs-Connor, Vice President of the Bar, speaking on behalf of the President, Ms Yvette Wallace, and the membership in general, spoke about the community service of the Bar and outlined the week of activities. One of the services she spoke about was the mentoring programme. This is conducted for students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and includes helping them to choose their subjects, thus ensuring that they are on the right track.

She also spoke about such activities as the Pro Bono Day service for members of the public at no cost to them; the discussion on election laws on Radio Anguilla’s Talk Anguilla programme on Wednesday; Thursday’s public debate was postponed. The topic would have been: Self-Governance – is this a solution or a problem for small island states like Anguilla?. Friday evening is the grand bingo event on the grounds of Auckland House with up to US$3,000 for the lucky winner. The fund-raising activity is to assist with a number of programmes of the Bar including its mentorship programme; the scholarship to a Sixth Form students who excels in the law component of his/her studies; and it also benefits a first year law student at the University of the West Indies. The two scholarships were set up in the name of Dame Bernice Lake QC, the late Anguillian renowned Jurist.

Meanwhile, Ms Yvette Wallace, the President of the Anguilla Bar Association, told The Anguillian that her organisation was proud of its role in giving back to the community and the special period it had embarked upon to do a number of useful activities. ”This is a time when we show our interest in the public aspect of what our Association is about and thus has now become an annual event.”