Another Kittitian-born Barrister has received his silk and been elevated to the Inner Bar.
Glowing tributes have been made by members of the Anguilla Bar Association to Mr. Thomas “Tommy” Astaphan QC of St. Kitts and Mrs. Joyce Kentish-Egan QC following their elevation.
Chief Justice Her Ladyship Dame Janice Pereira, Appeal Court Justices Louise Blenman and Gertel Thom and resident Judge Cheryl Mathurin presided over a special sitting of the Anguilla High Court to formally welcome the two new Queen’s Counsels.
Kittitian-born Queen’s Counsel Mr. Anthony Ross moved that Mr. Astaphan, who has had a long and distinguished law practice including acting as an Eastern Caribbean High Court Judge in St. Kitts, Montserrat and St. Lucia, be elevated to the Inner Bar.
Speaking in support of Thomas Astaphan QC were Kittitian Charles Wilkin QC of St. Kitts, Anguilla Bar President, Yvette Wallace, Damien Kelsick of St. Kitts, Dawn Holder and Nakishma Rogers.
Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Dennis Morrison, a long-time friend of Mrs. Kentish-Egan, made a presentation before court endorsing her for the senior legal position.
Several members of the legal fraternity made brief remarks congratulating both senior lawyers among John Benjamin QC, senior magistrate Ivenia Benjamin, Anguilla Bar Association president Yvette Wallace, Keighley Lake, Kendrickson Kentish, Paulette Harrigan and Pamovan Webster.
The two newest additions to the list of Queen’s Counsels in Anguilla both thanked their families, friends and colleagues for their support and pledged to uphold the high standards of the legal profession.
Mrs. Joyce Kentish-Egan of Joyce Kentish and Associates and Mr. Thomas Astaphan of Astaphan’s Chambers have been appointed as Her Majesty’s Counsel for Anguilla.
This is according to a release from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Anguilla Circuit.
Her Excellency the Governor of Anguilla Christina Scott executed the Letters Patent for both persons on August 18th, 2014.
Mrs. Kentish-Egan Q.C. was called to the bar in Anguilla on November 25th, 1985 and Mr. Astaphan Q.C. was called to the bar in Anguilla on January 21st, 1988.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Anguilla Circuit has congratulated both Mrs. Kentish-Egan Q.C. and Mr. Astaphan Q.C. on attaining this milestone; and for their outstanding and dedicated service to the profession.