It is with deep regret that the Community has learnt of the death of Guyanese born Sir Lionel Alfred Luckhoo QC CBE. An outstanding member of a family with a longstanding legal tradition, Sir Lionel carved his own niche in legal history by earning the acknowledgement as the most successful criminal lawyer with regard to acquittals in murder cases.

Although Sir Lionel's fame rests chiefly on his legal exploits, his interests also encompassed politics and diplomacy having served his country in both the Legislative and Executive Councils, as Mayor of Georgetown and as a distinguished High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in which position he also served the people of Barbados.

On behalf of the Caribbean Community, the Secretariat and on my own behalf, I extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Luckhoo family, and the Government and People of Guyana at this loss.