The Department of Law of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Guyana yesterday launched three new law programmes aimed at enhancing the delivery of law and legal educational services.
At a small ceremony at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, at Liliendaal, the department introduced the Masters of Law (LLM) in Legislative Drafting, the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting (GDLD) and the Diploma in Legal Education.
The launch was held under the theme ‘Enhancing law and legal education for national and regional development.’
In brief remarks, President of the Guyana Bar Association Christopher Ram extended his gratitude to the Faculty of Social Sciences for what he described as “an extremely commendable step in providing the opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in legal education.”
He pledged the full support and commitment of the Bar Association to the university’s Law Department.
Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams lauded the reintroduction of the LLM in Legislative Drafting and the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting.
He explained that the programmes are a necessity if the laws of Guyana are to be in step with those of other Caricom countries as well as the changes in legal education as time progresses.
Williams noted that on average, 6,000 civil cases are filed at the High Court every year, with some challenging the provision of law of the constitution of Guyana. Some parliamentarians have also made calls to have certified legal draftsmen and women assist them in the drafting of bills to be presented at the National Assembly. Therefore, there is a dire need to have more trained draftsmen and women in Guyana, he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr Barbara Reynolds described the launching of the programme as “a good moment for the University of Guyana. And I want to salute Mr Mc Donald [Head of Department of Law, UG] and his team who worked extremely hard to get it to this point.”
She went on to say, “In a multicultural society that Guyana is, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, the rule of law is indispensable and the premise on which we base the rule of law must be a recognition and appreciation for fundamental human rights.”
Additionally, Dr Reynolds expressed the hope that with these three programmes, the practitioners and practice of the law would be duly enhanced.
“I hope it would be realised that it’s not just about the practice of the law, or rather the correct practice of the law, but also the study of the law,” she noted.
She added this should be recognised, “not only in the exalted rooms of the High Court or the Chambers of the Chief Justice but in every facet of our society, particularly those on the outer fringes where our social workers, police and those who prescribe with activities of our public service… It’s not just the fundamentals of the law, not just the practice of the law but the respect and appreciation of the rule of law, for human rights and what they do for our society.”
The LLM in Legislative Drafting and the Postgraduate Diploma in the same discipline were previously offered several years ago in conjunction with the Commonwealth Secretariat. With their reintroduction, the Department of Law anticipates that it will be oversubscribed.
The LLM programme seeks to offer advanced qualifications for persons in the Caribbean Commonwealth as well as expose students to a variety of drafting styles, through lectures, which would allow for the best selection of elements to suit the national laws as well as the tradition and culture of each student. This programme has been designed to cover a period of two years and persons who hold law degrees (LLB) or other relevant degrees from the University of Guyana or the University of the West Indies would be eligible to apply.
The postgraduate diploma has the same goals and entry requirements as the LLM, but it will cover a period of one year.
Meanwhile, the Diploma in Legal Education targets persons working in the Guyana’s armed forces as well as the wider public service, the magistracy and judiciary, as well as non- governmental organisations, such as human rights groups and environmental entities.
This programme allows for participants to do courses which are all a part of the law degree. Entry requirements include a minimum of five CSEC general proficiency subjects, among other alternative requirements.
Though it was indicated that fees for these new programmes have not been confirmed as yet, Ronald Singh, a lecturer from the Department of Law explained the fees would be very affordable when compared with elsewhere in the Caribbean. He also stated that both the LLM and the postgraduate diploma would be internationally recognised.
