Anand Ramlogan is a member of the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands.
He is the founder and head of Freedom Law Chambers
which is based in the city of
San Fernando, Trinidad. He served as junior counsel to the late
Sir Fenton Ramsahoye QC in whose footsteps he followed to become the
Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago
According to the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, the supreme law of the nation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago is the primary legal advisor to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Roles and funct ...
during the period 28 May 2010 – 2 February 2015. As Attorney General, he was also the titular head of the bar.
Ramlogan is also a
constitutional
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
When these princip ...
and
human rights
Human rights are Morality, moral principles or Social norm, normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for ce ...
lawyer
A lawyer is a person who practices law. The role of a lawyer varies greatly across different legal jurisdictions. A lawyer can be classified as an advocate, attorney, barrister, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, solic ...
, having been called to the bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 and the bar of England and Wales in 1994 and was appointed
Senior Counsel
The title of Senior Counsel or State Counsel (post-nominal letters: SC) is given to a senior lawyer in some countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. "Senior Counsel" is used in current or former Commonwealth countries or jurisdicti ...
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.
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.
Anand recently made legal history by challenging a law that prohibited bail for murder. In a unanimous decision, the Privy Council ruled that such a law was unconstitutional thereby paving the way for persons accused of murder to apply for bail. 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.
Education
He received his
primary education
Primary education or elementary education is typically the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary school. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first ...
at the Reform Presbyterian School and secondary schooling at
ASJA Boys' College and Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive, in
San Fernando
San Fernando may refer to:
People
*Ferdinand III of Castile (c. 1200–1252), called ''San Fernando'' (Spanish) or ''Saint Ferdinand'', King of Castile, León, and Galicia
Places Argentina
*San Fernando de la Buena Vista, city of Greater Buenos ...
.
On completing secondary school, he entered the
University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (UWI), originally University College of the West Indies, is a public university system established to serve the higher education needs of the residents of 17 English-speaking countries and territories in th ...
,
Cave Hill campus
Cave Hill, St. Michael, is a suburban area situated in the parish of Saint Michael, Barbados. It is located about 4 km north-west of the capital city Bridgetown, along the west coast of Barbados.
The University of the West Indies at Cave Hi ...
,
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
, to read for his
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...
degree where he won several prizes for academic excellence including the Mark of Merit and best all round student.
Ramlogan was awarded several
post-graduate
Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree.
The organization and stru ...
scholarship
A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need.
Scholarsh ...
s and read for his
LLM
A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL.M.; Latin: ' or ') is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject. In mos ...
(in
corporate
A corporation is an organization—usually a group of people or a company—authorized by the state to act as a single entity (a legal entity recognized by private and public law "born out of statute"; a legal person in legal context) and re ...
and
commercial law
Commercial law, also known as mercantile law or trade law, is the body of law that applies to the rights, relations, and conduct of persons and business engaged in commerce, merchandising, trade, and sales. It is often considered to be a branc ...
) at the
Centre for Commercial Law Studies
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL, or informally QM, and previously Queen Mary and Westfield College) is a public university, public research university in Mile End, East London, England. It is a member institution of the federal University of ...
, Queen Mary & Westfield College,
University of London
The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degree ...
(now known as the
Queen Mary University
, mottoeng = With united powers
, established = 1785 – The London Hospital Medical College1843 – St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College1882 – Westfield College1887 – East London College/Queen Mary College
, type = Public researc ...
). Whilst at the Queen Mary & Westfield, he simultaneously pursued a
post-graduate
Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree.
The organization and stru ...
diploma
A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offici ...
in
Law
Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
at the
University of Westminster
, mottoeng = The Lord is our Strength
, type = Public
, established = 1838: Royal Polytechnic Institution 1891: Polytechnic-Regent Street 1970: Polytechnic of Central London 1992: University of Westminster
, endowment = £5.1 million ...
, courtesy the British
Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship, funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, that lets foreign students with leadership qualities study at universities in the United Kingdom.
History
The Chevening Scholarship ...
and the
British Foreign Office
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom. Equivalent to other countries' ministries of foreign affairs, it was created on 2 September 2020 through the merger of the Foreign ...
Scholarship programme.
Private practice
He is an advocate who is known for his pioneering work in the field of
human rights
Human rights are Morality, moral principles or Social norm, normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for ce ...
,
constitutional
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
When these princip ...
and
public law
Public law is the part of law that governs relations between legal persons and a government, between different institutions within a state, between different branches of governments, as well as relationships between persons that are of direct ...
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 of Gary Griffith as Commissioner of Police, constitutional challenges to the Proceeds of Crime Act and the property tax legislation which effectively prevented the government from implementing the property tax for over 5 years.
He has appeared in over 50
Privy Council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a state, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the mon ...
appeals and has also appeared before the
Caribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ; nl, Caribisch Hof van Justitie; french: Cour Caribéenne de Justice) is the judicial institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Established in 2005, it is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
...
. Recent cases before the UK-based Judicial Committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council (the highest court for Trinidad and Tobago) include:
* Challenging the decision to construct a highway through the
Aripo Savannas Aripo savannah is a tropical savanna ecosystem in the northeast of Trinidad. It is a rare example of savannas formed due to edaphic factors, i.e. the growth of trees is restricted not by climate but by a shallow layer of clay. This impervious hardpa ...
Strict Nature Reserve, a unique ecosystem which was declared Environmentally Sensitive.
*
Freedom of Information
Freedom of information is freedom of a person or people to publish and consume information. Access to information is the ability for an individual to seek, receive and impart information effectively. This sometimes includes "scientific, indigeno ...
application against national oil company to ascertain the basis for withdrawing a multi-billion dollar lawsuit by the new government.
* The correct composition of the Judicial & Legal Service Commission which is responsible for making judicial appointments.
* Challenging delay by the National Energy Corporation in providing information about the ethnicity of senior staff.
* Breach of the constitutional rights of children.
* Damages for breach of the right to equality of treatment.
* Unfair treatment regarding promotion in the police service.
* Denial of legal costs.
He has done numerous cases in th
High Courtan
Court of Appealin breach of contract, defamation, discrimination, police brutality, medical negligence, personal injuries and commercial law.
Political and journalistic activities
Mr. Ramlogan has a distinguished record in public service and has served on many committees and statutory bodies such as the
Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the Law Reform Commission, the
Civil Aviation Authority
A civil aviation authority (CAA) is a national or supranational statutory authority that oversees the regulation of civil aviation, including the maintenance of an aircraft register.
Role
Due to the inherent dangers in the use of flight vehicles, ...
, the Commission of Enquiry into the Administration of Justice and the Vision 2020 plan for Constitutional Reform.
Anand entered politics as a candidate for the
Congress of the People (COP) under the leadership of Professor
Winston Dookeran
Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran (; born 24 June 1943) is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian politician and economist as well as international public official. Dookeran is the current Secretary-General of EUCLID, an intergovernmental institution of higher ...
. He contested the seat for the constituency of
Tabaquite Tabaquite is a town in central Trinidad, north of Rio Claro and west of the Navet Dam.
Overview
Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2015 Kimberly Singh hails from Tabaquite.
Tabaquite is a primarily rural area and suffers from infrastructural neglect. ...
in 2007 but subsequently re-joined the
United National Congress
The United National Congress ( UNC or UNCTT) is one of two major political parties in Trinidad and Tobago and the current parliamentary opposition. The UNC is a centre-left party. It was founded in 1989 by Basdeo Panday, a Trinidadian lawyer, e ...
after
Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Kamla Persad-Bissessar ( ; born Kamla Susheila Persad, 22 April 1952), often referred to by her initials KPB, is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian lawyer, politician and educator who is the Leader of the Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago, politica ...
was elected political leader. He was subsequently appointed a government senator and Attorney General.
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 the
People's National Movement
The People's National Movement (PNM) is the longest-serving and oldest active political party in Trinidad and Tobago. The party has dominated national and local politics for much of Trinidad and Tobago's history, contesting all elections sinc ...
government for persons such as former CEO of the
San Fernando City Corporation Marlene Coudray,
Devant Maharaj
Devant Maharaj is a Trinidad and Tobago politician, and social activist. He is a leading member of the United National Congress. On 27 June 2011, he became a member of the Senate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Minister of Transport ...
, Feroza Ramjohn, George Daniel and Damien Belfonte.
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. His views are sought after by the media on a wide range of legal, social and political issues.
Attorney generalship
On 26 May 2010, two days after the success of the
People's Partnership
The People's Partnership (PP) was a political coalition in Trinidad and Tobago among five political parties: the United National Congress (UNC), the Congress of the People (COP), the Tobago Organization of the People (TOP), Movement for Social ...
in the
2010 General Election, Anand Ramlogan was appointed a
Senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
and Attorney General by
Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Kamla Persad-Bissessar ( ; born Kamla Susheila Persad, 22 April 1952), often referred to by her initials KPB, is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian lawyer, politician and educator who is the Leader of the Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago, politica ...
. Under Section 75 (2) of the
constitution
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of Legal entity, entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
When ...
, the Attorney General must be appointed forthwith after the
prime minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
in order for the
Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
to be properly established.
In 2019, Ramlogan was charged with misconduct in public office. 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.
Former independent senator and president of the law association Martin Daly SC said it was akin to bounty hunting.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramlogan, Anand
Living people
Alumni of Queen Mary University of London
Alumni of the University of Westminster
Members of the Middle Temple
20th-century Trinidad and Tobago lawyers
University of the West Indies alumni
Members of the Senate (Trinidad and Tobago)
Attorneys General of Trinidad and Tobago
Year of birth missing (living people)
21st-century Trinidad and Tobago lawyers
Chevening Scholars