NICHOLSON
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I READ an article in The Sunday Gleaner of September 18 written by Attorney-General A.J. Nicholson, Q.C. entitled 'Justice Extradition and Legal Reform'. This was in response to a letter written by me and published in The Gleaner entitled 'Extradition Treaty should be reviewed'.
I do not agree with many of the points made by him, some of which are merely matters of opinion rather than of law. However, it was good to have the Government's position on certain aspects of extradition stated.
The Drug Kingpin designation is not the only matter which causes me grave concern, but I mentioned it first because it seemed so unjust. I am currently preparing a short paper commenting critically on extradition generally. It should be completed within a few weeks. I shall certainly include the views posited in my letter and the response of the Attorney-General and comment appropriately. I shall send copies to Mr. Nicholson and to you, Mr. Editor.
As regards his concern about my description of 'legal reform generally' as being in a state of 'inertia', in fairness to him, his advisers and others who 'labour in the vineyard' of legal reform, I had intended this description to refer to reforms relating to the administration of justice generally - a view I still hold.
I was not sufficiently specific. I 'miswrote' - fortuitously for Mr. Nicholson, who was not slow to grasp the opportunity to 'defend his legacy' not with inertia, but with characteristic gusto! I am obliged to the learned Attorney-General.
I am, etc.,
BERESFORD HAY
Kingston 8
