The legal profession in Guyana has lost another of its giants on the passing of Miles Greeves Fitzpatrick, Senior Counsel, on 12 March 2019 at the age of 83.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Fitzpatrick, S.C. was the head of the commercial firm, De Caires, Fitzpatrick & Karran, well known for representing public utilities, banks and companies.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, S.C. had the distinction of arguing one of the last Guyanese appeals to the Privy Council in 1971 in which he argued successfully against Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye, S.C.
Through his career, Mr. Fitzpatrick, S.C. was known for his affinity for social justice which led him to establish, with others, the first Legal Aid Clinic in Guyana which, many years later is still privately run. In this regard and otherwise, he donated generous portions of his working time to pro bono work to protect and enforce the rights of the disadvantaged.
In addition to his extensive work in litigation and advising clients over the many years of his career, Mr. Fitzpatrick, S.C. was also deeply involved in the Bar Association of Guyana in its most militant days.
He served as a member of the Bar Council and as the President of the Bar Association. As President, he served as Bar Association’s representative on the 1999 Constitution Reform Commission which made wide-ranging proposals for the reforming of the Constitution.
Mr Fitzpatrick, S.C., who was also extensively involved in politics and political causes in the earlier part of his career, was a man wedded to the highest principles of ethics and the extent of his impact on human fights and legal practice are incalculable.
The Bar Council offers its deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick, SC.