See the full statement issued by Attorney General Anil Nandlall below:
Yesterday, Justice Prem Persaud passed. Justice Persaud enjoyed perhaps one of the longest career of public service in the legal sector in Guyana.
Born in the village of Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara, Justice Persaud was a British trained lawyer who assumed the Bench as a Magistrate of British Guiana in the early sixties and served in that capacity until he was elevated to the High Court as a Puisne Judge on or about 1986.
He was possibly the longest serving Magistrate in the entire Commonwealth. After serving as a High Court Judge for several years, Justice Persaud was appointed a Justice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Guyana. As a Justice of Appeal, he delivered several landmark judgments in various areas of the law which will continue guide lawyers and judges alike for many years to come.
Persaud also served as Chief Justice for a short period.
Upon his retirement, Justice Persaud held several crucial posts, including being the longest serving Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission for several years, Chairman of the Trade Union Recognition Board for many years, and head of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited.
Justice Persaud was the father of Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, brother of Vidyanand Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, and the uncle of Prabha and Vidushi Persaud, both Attorneys-at-Law.
No doubt Justice Persaud’s life was a long fulfilling one, dedicated to public service and in service to the people of Guyana spanning over six decades.
Despite the high offices held, Justice Persaud remained grounded, humble and affable. We were neighbors in Prashad Nagar for nearly two decades. We enjoyed great relations. His morning and afternoon walks from his home to the University of Guyana along the sea wall and back were well known. Many looked forward to meeting with him on these walks.
In August of this year, he visited me at the Attorney General’s Chambers and gifted me a compendium of his leading written judgments.
He was always ready and willing to offer legal advice and guidance. Many would have benefitted therefrom over the several decades. I visited him a few weeks ago at his home. We chatted for a long time. Little did I know that would be our last conversation. He will surely be missed but his contribution and legacy shall live on.
To his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings and other relatives, I offer profound condolences, personally and on behalf of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
