(Trinidad Express) Justice Desiree Patricia Bernard has received many accolades during her long career in the legal system but she still felt overwhelmed receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Bernard said on Tuesday it felt “unbelievable” receiving her honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) last Saturday during the UWI, St Augustine, presentation of graduates 2007, which was held at UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC).

“I had to pinch myself to believe it was happening,” she said.

She told the Express on Tuesday that she was deeply honoured and described it as one of the highlights of her career.

Guyanese-born Bernard, 68, began her career in the legal system more than 40 years ago and went on to become the first female judge of the Supreme Court in Guyana, the first female judge in the Court of Appeal and the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Guyana. She was also the first woman judge on the Caribbean Court of Justice, a position she currently holds.

Bernard was one of four persons receiving honorary doctorates at UWI, St Augustine, campus. The other three were agriculturist and historian Edward Kent, Express investigations editor Camini Marajh and ceramic artist and sculptor Vera Baney.