On 27 January 2021, the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic made its second presentation of the Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick Prize for Legal Aid at the clinic’s Georgetown office.
The prize – in the form of books to the value of US$500 – was established in 2019 in memory of the late Fitzpatrick, a founder member and former director of the clinic and lifelong advocate for equal access to justice. It is awarded for the best performance in legal aid by a Guyanese student at the Hugh Wooding Law School, according to a release from the clinic.
The first recipient of the prize was Frances Carryl, but no formal presentation was made as Carryl was pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK.
The 2020 recipient is Anisah Muhammad. The presentation of the prize was made by Sultana Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick’s widow, their son Garry Fitzpatrick and granddaughter Zoe Fitzpatrick in the (masked and socially distanced) presence of Bishwa Panday, the chairperson of the clinic’s board of directors, Shellon Boyce, the clinic’s managing attorney, other directors and staff of the clinic.
In remarks following the presentation, the release said that Panday congratulated Muhammad and emphasised Fitzpatrick’s’ “unflagging support” for legal aid. Muhammad voiced appreciation for the prize and expressed her intention to attempt to follow in Fitzpatrick’s footsteps.
Garry Fitzpatrick thanked the clinic for establishing the prize in memory of his father and also extended congratulations to Muhammad.
