Caribbean news. Suzie d’Auvergne L.L.B. QC, OBE, former High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Saint Lucia Circuit), has passed away.
Suzie D’auvergne. Photo courtesy sflcn.com
After five years of private practice, having been called to the Bar on January 9, 1975, she joined the Civil Service as a Magistrate in 1984 despite the discouragement of her colleagues who described the magistracy during that time as a legal cemetery. At a special Plenary Sitting of the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 21, 2004 in her honour Justice d’Auvergne said, “It was this view that spurred me on, and immediately, I set myself the goal of becoming a High Court Judge, if only to disprove this notion. There were no female High Court Judges in the OECS at that time.”
In 1982, three years after becoming a Magistrate, she was appointed Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and in 1988, she was appointed the first ever Solicitor General of St. Lucia. On the September 17, 1990, she achieved her goal and was appointed a High Court Judge.
On 22nd February 2004 (Independence Day) she was awarded the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (Gold). She was also appointed Chairperson of the Electoral Commission in June 2012
Throughout her illustrious career she served on the boards and executives of numerous local and regional institutions.
Practicing Barrister since January, 1975 in Saint Lucia
Appointed Magistrate to the First District and Additional Magistrate to the Second District Courts September 1979
Appointed Director of Public Prosecutions September 1982
Appointed first ever Solicitor General of Saint Lucia September 1988
Appointed Puisne Judge of the Eastern Caribbean States September 1990
She served on the Board of Governors of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College 1988-1990
She is a member of the Board of Governors of St. Joseph Convent Secondary School from 1984
Chairperson of the National Archives Authority from 1995 – 2003
On 22nd February 2004 she was awarded the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (Gold)
On the Queen’s Birthday Honour List in 2006 she was awarded (Companion of St. Michael and St George) C.M.G.
Chairperson of the Police Complaints Commission from 2006
Vice President of the OAS Administrative Tribunal
Patron of the Marian Home for the Elderly from 2005
Director of the Adelaide & Francis Home and Johnson Home for the Elderly
Member of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission
During her terms on the bench she was known to be particularly severe with rapists and abusers of women who appeared before her. She was a passionate proponent for women’s rights. Article courtesy Norbert Williams
Ambassador Tom Chou presents a check to the Marian Home
(From left: Ambassador Tom Chou,Ms Justice Suzie D’Auvergne and Hon. Keith Mondesir, Minister for Health). Photo courtesy www.taiwanembassy.org
