AG pays tribute to late Attorney-at-Law in Special Memorial Full Court session

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, today paid tribute to the late Mr. Dyal Singh Attorney-at-Law. This was done through a special memorial session of the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Region Two.

The Attorney General said Mr. Singh was not known for flair but he made a deep and insightful impact in the manner in which his practice unfolded.

The AG said Mr. Singh came from humble beginnings and never left his home of Essequibo to practice law anywhere else.

The AG pointed out that Mr. Singh chose to remain in Essequibo to serve the people of the county which he did for 50 years after returning from his studies in England. The Minister said helping the people of Essequibo access justice was his greatest attribute and achievement.

He noted that for decades Mr. Singh, with distinction, did countless cases free of charge to help those who needed it the most.

“The problem facing every legal system in the world is that the persons who are most in need of justice are the poor and indigent, yet they have the least access to justice. Mr. Singh helped in bridging the tragic divide by providing services to the poor and indigent of the Essequibo coast,” the AG said.

The Attorney General noted that Mr. Singh’s first 115 acquittals were secured at the criminal bar.

Mr. Singh also played a big role in the region’s agriculture sector. Minister Nandlall said he established a factory to make jams out of the fruits he planted on the Essequibo Coast. The late Attorney-at-Law also left a legacy in the form of his son Justice Navindra Singh who presided over the session.

“No doubt Mr. Singh made a solid contribution and was an invaluable member of the legal profession. On behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and on behalf of the Government of Guyana, on behalf of myself and the Attorney General Chambers, I convey our most sincere condolences to Justice Singh, his mother, his sister and other relatives. May the soul of Mr. Dyal Singh enjoy eternal peace.”

Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George, and Justice Gino Persaud also presided over today’s special sitting.

Chancellor Cummings-Edwards said Mr. Singh served beyond the call of duty. She said the words dedication, drive and diligence could be used to describe him. She also highlighted that Mr. Singh embodied the fact that you could make an impact on the lives of the people even if you come from humble beginnings.

Meanwhile, Justice George described Mr. Singh as a stalwart of the Essequibo Coast. She added that he had made an enormous contribution to the legal profession and had served his country, but more importantly, he served the people.

President of the Guyana Bar Association Mr. Teni Housty and other senior Attorneys-at-Law also paid their tributes.

Mr. Singh passed away on May 27, 2020.