Dear Editor,

I have been following with interest the recent issues relating to the Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen which have been featuring quite regularly and prominently in the press. I recall reading in the past of an incident involving herself and Mr. Ovid Holder which reminded me of a most humiliating experience I had with her.

I am the Power of Attorney for a relative who lives abroad and was seeking possession of her property from defaulting tenants. About a year ago, I was in Court 1 when the matter was called to be presided over by the Chief Magistrate. My attorney-at-law Mr. Anil Nandlall had not arrived to represent me and I reported to her that he was delayed and offered to explain in his absence the difficulties I was experiencing with the defaulting tenants. In a loud, arrogant and seemingly vexatious manner she told me to "shut up" and that I was in contempt of her court for which she can have me thrown in jail. In an angry outburst, which I interpreted was directed at me with vehemence, she asked me if I ever wore a pair of bangles and continued to admonish me in a manner devoid of humour with threats that the bangles she referred to were not the fancy types that people like me flout but those that she orders policemen to use to throw people in jail. I was utterly speechless and left transfixed in a state of shock and embarrassment while helplessly enduring her unprovoked sarcasm punctuated with intimidatory jargon. There were two lawyers in Court at the time and one of them with a sympathetic look at me, softly whispered in cautious undertones "stay quiet, don't say another word." He then rose and addressed the Chief Magistrate announcing that he was holding for his colleague Mr. Anil Nandlall and sought an adjournment for the case. This was granted by her after directing a last rebuke at me "consider yourself lucky."

I have had the privilege of being recognised and accepted by senior and other functionaries of the judiciary (both past and present) with respect and courtesy being a mutual accord. It was therefore a monumental surprise to have been berated and subjected to such indignity by the Chief Magistrate in a place described as the Hallowed Halls of Justice where the corridors should resonate with civility and inspire decorum.

Yours faithfully,

Maurice Rajkumar