Don’t be afraid to take unpopular cases.
Lord Anthony Gifford, second from left, mixes wit and wisdom as he speaks with other lawyers during a reception at the offices of Attorney James Stenning, to his left. Among professional colleagues and friends attending were Walkers attorneys James Austin-Smith, left, and Philip McGhee, right. Photo: Carol Winker |
Do your research.
Talk to reporters.
Those were not the exact words of Lord Anthony Gifford on a recent Friday evening, but they summarise some of his comments during a reception at the offices of Stenning and Associates on Mary Street.
Attorney James Stenning, a Cayman Islands Law School graduate who was called to the bar in May 2006, opened his offices earlier this year.
After settling in, he invited professional colleagues and friends to celebrate. Mr. Stenning said he was delighted when Lord Gifford was among those who accepted his invitation.
Lord Gifford, who divides his time between the UK and Jamaica, is the author of The Passionate Advocate, which sets out some of his experiences as a human rights advocate in Britain, South Africa and the Caribbean.
Mr. Stenning met Lord Gifford last year when the young attorney was assisting other lawyers in Cayman.
He had been a member of the Human Rights Committee at the Law School and his commitment to this field of law has continued to grow.
While in Jamaica last year to talk about a case, he was sent to Lord Gifford. The two hit it off immediately and the veteran Queen’s Counsel agreed to work with Mr. Stenning as a consultant.
At the reception, Lord Gifford congratulated Mr. Stenning and told the gathering that the young attorney was as bright as any he had ever trained. He looked forward to watching Mr. Stenning’s career.
He warned of the difficulties involved in taking on unpopular causes.
‘If your cases are frivolous or vexatious, you shouldn’t bring them,’ he said. Cases that are well researched will almost always win.
‘All of us benefit when the rights of the minority are protected,’ he said.
In a smaller group conversation, Lord Gifford elaborated. He said it is important that when a case is won against a corporation or the state the public know. Such a victory shows that everyone is equal before the law and poor people can win if their cause is just. ‘That gives confidence to people of all classes.’
For this reason, he encouraged attorneys to speak with the media. ‘If journalists ring up, I always give them a hearing,’ he said. ‘If I don’t, my client’s case may be misrepresented.’
Dialogue with reporters should not be to enter into controversy or be political, but to let them know what the courts have decided. This approach will help the public respect the law and understand such issues as legal aid. ‘It’s for the lawyer to inform and be outgoing,’ he summarised.
Human rights issues can arise in cases man against woman, workers against employer, immigrants and the state, tenants and landlords. All of these are areas where there can be exploitation and abuse of power.
‘It is important there are lawyers like this young man to take these cases,’ Lord Gifford said of Mr. Stenning.
The firm has already grown since the reception, with Attorney Christina Parsons Belargent joining as one of the associates.
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