Stephen Julien, a former magistrate, previously served as Consul General to Saint Lucia in Toronto, Canada.
Stephen Julien, a former Magistrate, was officially presented to the nation by Governor General Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, after he took the Oath of Office and Allegiance at Government House, yesterday. Mr. Julien was accompanied by his wife Sherry Ann Julien and his two sons.
The new Attorney General said he is ready to get to work on improving the productivity of the departments which fall under his purview, and in creating better synergy with other government departments.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to serve as Attorney General. During my tenure I will oversee various departments which have the responsibility to provide services, such as the general administration of the Attorney General’s Chambers, advice and litigation on civil matters to central government, legislative drafting and the Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property. My first order of business will be to meaningfully engage these departments with a view to assessing their particular needs,” he said.
One of the first issues the Attorney General wanted to address was staffing.
“I have been reliably informed that understaffing remains a recurring issue in some departments but this is especially so where Crown Counsels are concerned, and this has had a negative impact on overall productivity. One can imagine that without this source of support and that human resource that the courts and government can significantly slow down to our detriment. It is for this reason I will depart from the usual protocol of these proceedings and use this forum to make a special plea to our Hon. Prime Minister for the allocation of these and other resources for the aforementioned departments which collectively form the Attorney General’s Chambers; as we all agree that the functions which we perform are essential to the government.”
Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet said that the government recognized the issue of understaffing.
“Clearly there is a need to hire additional lawyers and administrative staff in those departments. If we are to ensure transparency and good governance and if we are to be a viable destination for investment the rule of law is critical. It is the intention of this government, as difficult as it is going to be in the coming months and years, to find the resources to make this happen. I give you the assurance, I give Her Excellency the assurance, and I give the people of this great country the assurance that we will find the resources to ensure that we deliver.”
Mr. Julien was called to the Bar in Saint Lucia in 1998 and holds a Legal Education Certificate from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the West Indies. He previously served as Consul General to Saint Lucia in Toronto, Canada.
