March 30, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: All Editors-in-Chief, Head of News

 MEDIA RELEASE 

INDUSTRIAL COURT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MR. JUSTICE MICHAEL DE LA BASTIDE

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: The President, Vice President, Chairman of the Essential Services Division, Members, Registrar and Staff of the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago join with the legal and judicial fraternity and, by extension, the national community, in mourning the passing of former Chief Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Justice Michael de la Bastide QC, TC.

Mr. Justice de la Bastide was a practitioner at the Industrial Court when the Court first held its sittings at the Red House in the 1960s. In 2014, on the occasion of the Court’s 50th anniversary, he shared his experiences as a practitioner at the Court, among other things, he said, “… I benefitted from practicing in the Industrial Court; it brought one up against points of view and attitudes that were not encountered in the normal course of court practice. There were people with different philosophies, with more liberal ideas, and people presenting cases and views with great skill and persuasiveness.”

A brilliant mind and highly esteemed figure in the legal community, Justice de la Bastide contributed significantly to the industrial relations jurisprudence of Trinidad and Tobago. The Industrial Court has been guided on the often-raised issue of worker under section 2 (3) (e) of the Industrial Relations Act, by his landmark judgment Claude Albert versus Alstons Building Enterprises Limited, Court of Appeal 37/00. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the Honourable Mr. Justice Michael de la Bastide QC, TC during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

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