PATTERSON

Jamaica-born United Kingdom lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths QC, will be the guest speaker at this year's Norman Manley Lecture.

Griffiths is an expert in international criminal law and has earned a reputation as one of the top lawyers in the UK.

He is currently the lead counsel of the defence team appointed by the Special Court for Sierra Leone to represent ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague.

This year's lecture, hosted by the Norman Manley Law School, will be held today at the University of the West Indies-based facility, starting at 7:00 p.m.

"I want to compare the ways in which US and British foreign policy operates without being subject to the kind of strictures now being applied to Charles Taylor, and ask if there can truly be a system of international jurisprudence when certain states consider themselves to be above the law," Griffiths said in reference to his lecture topic.

Not guilty

Taylor, who is currently in detention in The Hague, has pleaded "not guilty" before the Special Court on all counts of an 11-count indictment, including war crimes and crimes against humanity for alleged atrocities committed in the neighbouring country of Sierra Leone. It is alleged that he supported the key rebel group, commonly referred to as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), through the provision of ammunition and other technical support.

One of the highlights of this year's lecture will be the reflections on the life of National Hero Norman Manley by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. Patterson, who served as prime minister for years and worked as an organiser for the People's National Party during the leadership of Norman Manley before himself becoming president of the party.

The prestigious, annual Norman Manley Lecture is staged to highlight issues of national and international public concern. Over the years there have been several distinguished guest lecturers from different fields of endeavour.

This year's lecture has been supported by several members of the business community, including Jamaica National Building Society, Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, NEM Insurance and Guardian Life Limited.