Anand Ramlogan,SC is a member of the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands.[1] He is the founder and head of Freedom Law Chambers[1] which is based in the city ofSan Fernando, Trinidad. He served as junior counsel to the late [[Sir Fenton Ramsahoye|Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, QC, SC.[2] in whose footsteps he followed to become theAttorney General of Trinidad and Tobago during the period 28 May 2010 – 2 February 2015.[3] As Attorney General, he was also the titular head of the bar.
Ramlogan is also aconstitutional andhuman rightslawyer, having been called to the bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 and the bar of England and Wales in 1994, and was appointedSenior Counsel on 30 December 2011. He was awarded the prestigious Express Individual of the Year award in 2004 joining a distinguished list of recipients that includes former Chief Justice Michael DeLabastide, Prime Ministers, Presidents and other prominent citizens for his outstanding work in successfully representing ordinary citizens whose rights were violated by the government.[4]
He is a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (U.K.), the holder of an L.L.B. degree and a Master's in Corporate and Commercial Law.[5] Ramlogan is one of the top legal minds in the Caribbean. He frequently appears in leading cases for or against the state in the superior courts including the London-based final appellate court, the Privy Council where he has done numerous appeals. His recent cases in the Privy Council include:
Maharaj v The Cabinet of Trinidad [2023] UKPC 17 in whichRavi Balgobin Maharaj challenged the government's decision to postpone local government elections. In a historic judgment, theJudicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled against the government thereby forcing the Prime Minister to call the elections. The term of office of representatives had come to an end in December 2023.[6][7]
JM v The Attorney General [2022] UKPC 54 - This case concerned a child who was tortured and sexually abused at a home for children. It was the first time in legal history that the state was found to have subjected a child to cruel and unusual punishment because of the "living hell" that was made to endure from 12 years old. The child was awarded $2 Million for the breach of his constitutional rights which included $1 Million or vindicatory damages - the largest sum ever.[8][9][10]
Akili Charles v The Attorney General [2022] UKPC[1]- This landmark case challenged a law that prohibited bail for murder. In a unanimous decision, the Privy Council ruled[11] that such a law was unconstitutional thereby paving the way for persons accused of murder to apply for bail.[12][13] Thus, after persons accused of murder could not apply for bail (regardless of the circumstances) for over a century, they can now do so. Bail should only be granted in cases where the accused does not pose a threat to society.[14]
Akili Charles v The Attorney General [2022] UKPC 49 - The state was ordered to pay the legal costs of a re-trial because it was the author of the "colossal misstep" that affected many prisoners who had been awaiting trial for over a decade.[15][16][17]
A&A Mechanical v Petroleum Company of Trinidad - This was a multi-million-dollar commercial dispute which resulted in the national oil company having to pay millions of dollars to a local contractor. It is now a leading case on the law on "without prejudice" communications in the context of commercial negotiations.[18]
He is an advocate who is known for his pioneering work in the field ofhuman rights,constitutional andpublic law where he represents the interests of the average man against the government. He uses the instrument of the law to achieve social transformation and many of his cases have prompted significant changes in the law. He gives advice on a wide range of matters to public officials and lawyers in other Caribbean countries. He is admitted to practice in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), St Lucia and Anguilla.
His recent legal exploits include successful challenges to the appointment ofGary Griffith as Commissioner of Police,[20] constitutional challenges to the Proceeds of Crime Act[21] and the property tax legislation[22] which effectively prevented the government from implementing the property tax for over 5 years.
Recent cases before the UK-based Judicial Committee of His Majesty's Privy Council (the highest court for Trinidad and Tobago) include:
Challenging the decision to construct a highway through theAripo Savannas Strict Nature Reserve, a unique ecosystem which was declared Environmentally Sensitive.[24][25]
Freedom of Information application against national oil company to ascertain the basis for withdrawing a multi-billion dollar lawsuit by the new government.[26][27]
The correct composition of the Judicial & Legal Service Commission which is responsible for making judicial appointments.[28][29]
Challenging delay by the National Energy Corporation in providing information about the ethnicity of senior staff.[30][31]
Breach of the constitutional rights of children.[32]
Damages for breach of the right to equality of treatment.[33]
Unfair treatment regarding promotion in the police service.[34]
He has done numerous cases in theHigh Court andCourt of Appeal in breach of contract, defamation, discrimination, police brutality, medical negligence, personal injuries and commercial law.
Mr. Ramlogan has a distinguished record in public service and has served on many committees and statutory bodies such as thePetroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the Law Reform Commission, theCivil Aviation Authority, the Commission of Enquiry into the Administration of Justice and the Vision 2020 plan for Constitutional Reform.[36]
Prior to his appointment as Attorney General, Ramlogan was a prominent lawyer who had become a household name for championing the legal cause of many poor and downtrodden citizens. He also won many historic cases against thePeople's National Movement government for persons such as former CEO of theSan Fernando City Corporation Marlene Coudray,Devant Maharaj, Feroza Ramjohn, George Daniel and Damien Belfonte.[39]
Anand was also an active member of the media, hosting a radio talk show with radio 90.5 FM, was a columnist with the leading daily newspapers, the Sunday Guardian, the Express and the Newsday newspapers for many years.[40] His views are sought after by the media on a wide range of legal, social and political issues.
In 2019, Ramlogan was charged with misconduct in public office.[42] He maintained that he was the victim of political conspiracy. The charges were eventually discontinued by the DPP after it was discovered that millions of dollars had been secretly paid by the new PNM Government to the prosecution's lone witness as part of an undisclosed illicit indemnity agreement.[43][44]
Former independent senator and president of the law associationMartin Daly, SC said it was akin to bounty hunting.[45]
