Guyana’s Judicial Asset Recovery Conference opens today

In recognition of the increased collaboration between Guyana and the United States of America (USA), on security, rule of law, and countering organised crime, the National Centre for State Courts (NCSC) will partner with the Judicial Education Institute of Guyana to host a Judicial Asset Recovery Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Coroner’s inquests into the deaths of two men who died in separate accidents on the Essequibo Coast are ongoing before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Thirty-six-year-old Navindra Narayan, also known as “Shinky”, a carpenter, died on December 24, 2013, after being involved in an accident on the La Belle Alliance Public Road.

According to reports,

It was reported that the car was proceeding in front of Narayan when he attempted to overtake. However, he lost control of the motorcycle and hit the car. Due to the impact of the collision, he ended up in a nearby trench. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, 63-yearold Derrick Glasgow of Queenstown village, Essequibo Coast, was struck by a car and killed on July 18, 2015, while he was walking along the public road in the village.

Reports state that Glasgow called “Puddle” of Bedford Street, Queenstown, and his friend came out of a yard and were walking north along the

Queenstown Public Road, while a car bearing number plate PMM 6118 which was heading in the opposite direction struck him.

Glasgow reportedly sustained injuries to his head and feet and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine if anyone is to be held liable for a person’s death.

The conference begins today, Monday, March 27, concludes tomorrow and will be attended by Guyana’s Appeal Court Judges, High Court Judges, Magistrates, Commissioners of Title, and Registrars.

The goal of the conference is to engage members of the Judiciary in the area of asset recovery, building knowledge, and sharing best practices in conviction-based and non-conviction-based asset recovery.

The expert faculty will include the Chief Justice of Belize, the Justice of Appeal from the Supreme Court of Jamaica, High Court Judges from the Eastern

Caribbean Supreme Court and the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, the Dean of the University of West Indies (UWI) Law Faculty, Director of Public Prosecutions from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Prosecution Service, and Kings Counsel from England and Wales.

Specifically, the conference will raise the level of asset recovery knowledge and best practices; encourage the professional exchange of skills, experienc- es, and challenges, when dealing with asset recovery cases; and build confidence among members of the Judiciary who preside over asset recovery cases. Meanwhile, in light of this event, the Supreme Court stated that there will be disruptions in the regular sitting in several courts and as such, members of the public with queries are asked to contact the Registrar and Principal Clerk on telephone numbers 226-7947 or 225-9100.