GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – President Dr. Irfan Ali has paid tribute to internationally renowned Guyanese and Caribbean jurist Desiree Bernard, who died in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday morning.
“It is with profound sadness that I have learned of the passing of a true icon of the legal profession, Justice (rtd.) Desiree Bernard. Her remarkable career as Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, alongside her esteemed tenure as a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice, left an indelible mark on our legal landscape, one that all Guyanese should take pride in,” said Ali.
He added that Justice Bernard was a trailblazer for women in law. “Her stellar legal career, personal integrity, and outstanding legacy, I am confident, will continue to inspire all who seek to serve within our legal system.”
On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, I extend my deepest condolences to her relatives and the entire legal fraternity. The loss of Justice Bernard is deeply felt, not just within our country but throughout the region,” he said.
The late Justice began her legal career in 1964 and became the first female judge for the Caribbean Court of Justice from 2005 to 2014. She was also a founding member of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL).
Justice Bernard, who was suffering from cancer and dementia, was 85.
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