Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) lay assessor Veera Bhajan has won her lawsuit against the tribunal and its Chairman Donna Prowell-Raphael over repeated moves to block her from taking up her appointment.
Delivering a judgement, a short while ago, High Court Judge Avason Quinlan-Williams ruled that the tribunal and Prowell-Raphael acted illegally and in breach of their remit in blocking Bhajan from beginning work after she was appointed by President Paula-Mae Weekes in March.
In addition to issuing declarations against the tribunal and Prowell-Raphael, Quinlan-Williams ordered that Bhajan be paid her salary and benefits which were withheld since March, plus interest.
The tribunal and Prowell-Raphael were also ordered to pay $100,000 in damages for the distress and embarrassment they caused her. Justice Quinlan-Williams also ordered $250,000 in vindicatory damages to highlight the court’s strong feelings over what transpired in the case.
“There ought to be a sense of public outrage over what occurred,” Quinlan-Williams said, as she described the attempts to block the appointment as disturbing and off-putting.
In a press release issued moments after Justice Quinlan-Williams’ judgement, the tribunal said it accepted the decision.
“The Tribunal respects the ruling of the Honourable Court and will meet with its attorneys to determine its next steps. The Tribunal looks forward to continuing to serve the citizens of T&T,” it said.
Reporter: Derek Achong
