Farewell to a Legal Titan: Special sitting held for Dane Hamilton KC

0
712
front 2 dane (1)
- Advertisement -

By Elesha George

[email protected]

“A lawyers’ lawyer”, “fearless and independent”, “a first-class advocate at the criminal bar”, and “an excellent chef”, were some of the accolades expressed to remember the life of a man from the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines who made Antigua and Barbuda his home.

A collective of over 100 legal minds made their way to the High Court on Monday morning in person and via Zoom, to engage in a Special Sitting for the late Dane Raymond Hamilton KC who passed away last December.

Hamilton was described by many of his peers as an individual who left a giant and iconic legacy. Sir Dennis Byron, former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) who met Hamilton 42 years ago said his service as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in St Lucia was “exemplary”. “He assisted many to get justice. There is no doubt he contributed to the rule of law,” he wrote in a tribute.

Hamilton’s reputation extended across the region, serving in various capacities in St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and Nevis to name a few.

Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court said his strong personality with strong opinions made him “cut and thrust” in criminal law. “He truly relished helping the underdog.”

Nevis Premier Mark Brantley credited Hamilton for mentoring and guiding him in the capacity of a senior counsel. And when he faced a highly contested election, it was Hamilton he recalled whose work caused the first successful election petition in Nevis. He declared him “one of St Vincent’s brightest sons who made Antigua his home.”

Wendel Alexander, a fellow Vincentian-born attorney and close colleague spoke highly of the man whom he said he learned all his skills from. He called him a bridge-builder and a walking encyclopedia – more tributes for a man whose sometimes conflicting demeanor, was matched only by his kindness. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them – In all three aspects, learned KC Hamilton can be part of that measurement.”

Apart from his profession Hamilton enjoyed cooking, visiting the beach, watching cricket and Carnival and generally loved a good lime.

“He was my friend and I have great memories of that friendship”, will perhaps encapsulate the feeling of many individuals who sat in that courtroom on Monday morning.

“For death is a necessity; it will come when it will come,” wrote William Shakespeare. And while it came for Hamilton last December, it came only after he had left an indelible mark on his profession, his family, and his friends.

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

ten − six =