A series of six Law Books, just published by retired High Court Judge, Mr.
Don Mitchell, CBE, QC, and prepared as lectures for Anguillian students
sitting the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), is seen as
one of his most practical, praiseworthy and perpetual contributions to
jurisprudence in Anguilla and the rest of the Caribbean. The attractively
designed books, written in a light, but academic prose, were officially
launched by Governor Christina Scott on Monday evening, February 15, at the
Teachers’ Resource Centre, in the presence of a large and appreciative
audience.
The text books were described as not only of much learning value and
significance to students, but to all and sundry across Anguilla including
the law fraternity and groups and individuals in the public and private
sectors in general. The volumes, each available at US$25, have crowned a
mass of written texts over the years by Mr. Mitchell, a prolific legal
writer and historian, whose published papers, blogs, and other works have
well informed the people of Anguilla over the many years of his busy,
vibrant and multi-faceted career. The books, now a legacy of his once
extremely active profession, carry the following titles: Criminal Law,
Caribbean Legal Studies, Law of Tort, Principles of Public Law, Law of
Conflict and Law of Real Property.
The book-launch ceremony was chaired by Mr. Thomas Astaphan, QC, one of Mr.
Mitchell’s long-time colleagues, conversant with his legal prowess and
sterling contributions. Mr. Astaphan, who spoke about Mr. Mitchell’s
extensive career path and other biographical information, described him,
among other things, as “a true Caribbean person who, despite all of the
accomplishments he achieved, remains a very humble and modest person”. His
career path in Anguilla from 1976, when he moved to the island from St.
Kitts, included: Magistrate and Registrar of the Supreme Court, Coroner,
Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Registrar of Companies,
Trade Marks, Patents, Newspapers, Trade Unions and Archives. His more
recent accomplishments included High Court Judge, Appeal Court Judge, Law
Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School since 2007 and his
appointment as Chairman of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform
Commission in Anguilla.
Resident Judge, Madam Justice Cheryl Mathurin, congratulated Mr. Mitchell
on behalf of Chief Justice, Janice Pereira, and the other Judges of the
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court including herself. She said the publishing
of the books was particularly gratifying when it was considered that the
beneficiaries were students and teachers. She noted that, with the author’s
extensive experience, knowledge, wisdom and guidance, the books would also
be of much assistance to a more harmonised Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
in terms of advice in the future. “Congratulations, Mr. Mitchell and thank
you very much for sharing yet again your wisdom and your knowledge,” she
concluded.
Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary, Education, in a more
comprehensive address, lauded Mr. Mitchell for his legal work. She said in
part: “As a Lawyer, he was always a Teacher. He nurtured and moulded many
young Attorneys. As a result of his legal acumen, coupled with warm
humility and humour, young Counsels often felt comfortable enough to visit
his Chambers – not only to use his extensive library – but also to tap into
his vast knowledge and experience of various legal issues, and for guidance
and support. Unfailingly he always gave of himself and his
resources…Personally, when I chose to pursue a law degree, I spent several
summers in his Chambers under his tutelage. I was but one of the several
aspiring Attorneys to whom he was a mentor, teacher and a storehouse of
legal knowledge.”
Mrs. Petty Barrett said that through Mr. Mitchell’s teaching of law he had
“nurtured a generation of citizens with an increased awareness of their
rights, responsibilities and operations in the legal system.” She added:
“Justice Mitchell, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, I thank you for
your years of dedicated service to our students and congratulate you on the
launch of this textbook series. Yet again you have found a better way of
giving of yourself: this time by providing an invaluable resource for
anyone studying or teaching CAPE Law. Not only have you made life easier
for students and teachers, but you have ensured that future generations can
benefit from your wealth of knowledge on the various subject areas. This is
indeed a commendable legacy.”
Ms. Jean Dyer, President of the Anguilla Bar Association, congratulated Mr.
Mitchell on behalf of the Association, and herself, for having
“singlehandedly researched and produced what has now become essential
reference guides…at a very affordable price.” She said the Association was
grateful to him “for having undertaken this labour of love for the past
eight years”. She urged students in Anguilla to make the most of the Law
Books now available to them.
There were three special overviews of Mr. Mitchell’s books. The first,
Criminal Law and Contract Law, was presented by Barrister-at-Law, Mr.
Kerith Kentish on behalf of his Aunt, Mrs. Joyce Kentish-Egan, QC; the
second, Real Property and Caribbean Legal Systems, was by Mr. Stanley Reid
OBE, Deputy Governor and a trained Lawyer; and the third, Law of Tort and
Principles of Public Law, by Barrister-at-Law, Mrs. Keesha Carty. Ms. Ojeda
Vanterpool, a past CAPE Law Student, nurtured by Mr. Mitchell and now a
Barrister-at-Law, was also listed to deliver remarks. In her absence, her
address was delivered by Mr. Karim Richardson, a former classmate. She
noted that through Mr. Mitchell she had not only qualified as a Lawyer,
eight years after his tutelage, but had already been called to the Bar in
England and Wales. She will be called to the Anguilla Bar in the near
future.
Earlier, the proceedings were graced by two poems, one each by Mrs.
Patricia Adams and Mrs. Hyacinth Hughes which were both well received.
Responding to the various presentations, Mr. Mitchell said: “I have been
honestly overwhelmed by the turnout heretonight and by the kind things so
many of you have said about me and the six little books that I have now
published.” He was grateful to the Principals and Deputy Principals, other
teachers and students (past and current) of the Albena Lake-Hodge
Comprehensive School, and others, who facilitated his teaching of law and
other persons who were also helpful towards the preparation and publishing
of the Law Books. Included in the list was the Senior Magistrate, Ms.
Ivenia Benjamin, who assisted in arranging the book launch and who, in the
first place, facilitated the publishing of the books by Emanuel Publishing
House in Dominica.
Governor Christina Scott observed that while the books were an excellent
contribution to education and civil society, they would also be of much
value to several areas of the public service including land law,
registration and licencing issues. The Governor thought it would be a good
idea for Mr. Mitchell to roll out the books right across the region and
possibly even wider. “It is a real fantastic achievement and it is an
enormous privilege for me to declare these books officially launched,” she
added.
The book launch ceremony was followed by refreshments and the signing and
purchasing of books.
The Anguillian Newspaper
The Anguillian Newspaper