Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Llewellyn - File

A large gathering turned out recently to witness Paula Llewellyn, director of public prosecutions (DPP), take her seat in the Inner Bar, Supreme Court, following her appointment in March as a queen's counsel.

Eminent Queen's Counsel Frank Phipps proposed her admission to the Inner Bar after the reading of the proclamation from Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall, on her appointment as queen's counsel.

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla then invited Llewellyn to take her seat on the queen's counsel 's bench, having donned her new silk gown.

In his welcoming address, Phipps lauded Llewellyn on the great strides she had made in the legal profession, saying it was indeed an historic occasion.

He pointed out that for the first time in Jamaica's legal history, there was a female chief justice, a female attorney general and minister of justice, and a female director of public prosecutions.

success, prowess and ability

Llewellyn's success, prowess and ability were well-known, he said, giving a brief outline of her career.

He said he was certain that Llewellyn would use her skills to ensure that no one was denied justice in Jamaica. He spoke, too, of her courtesy and integrity, and said he was sure that with cooperation, she would overcome most, if not all, of the difficulties of the job.

Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, Q.C., attorney general and minister of justice, had no doubt that Llewellyn's tenure would be successful.

She said she knew the DPP would perform without fair or favour and pointed out that the large turnout of persons showed the high regard in which she was held by her colleagues both at the public and private bar.

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, Senior Puisne Judge Marva McIntosh, and Mr Justice Bryan Sykes, all spoke highly of Llewellyn. They said she had all the knowledge, poise and qualities which would make her an excellent director of public prosecutions.

John Leiba, president of the Jamaican Bar Association, George Soutar, president of the Advocates' Association, and Douglas Leys, solicitor-general, also commended Llewellyn on her outstanding achievements and said she had been given accolades she deserved. They spoke also of her dedication and commitment to justice.

response

In response, Llewellyn thanked the gathering, which included her father, Clinton, her daughter Leah, and other family members, friends and members of the legal profession, for their support.

She pledged to continue to act at all times in the public's interest, which embraced victims of crime, witnesses, accused persons and members of the law-enforcement community.

On May 24, Llewellyn was the focus of more commendations.

The Norman Manley Law School graduating class of 1984 hosted a cocktail party at The Jamaica Pegasus to celebrate the recent appointments of Llewellyn as DPP and Douglas Leys as solicitor general, who are both graduates of that class.