Former state attorney appointed magistrate

FORMER state attorney Sarah de Silva was yesterday sworn in at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain as a magistrate.

De Silva, 34, had been working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (South) since 2011 where she prosecuted cases in the magistrates and high courts in San Fernando. She was sworn in during a brief ceremony presided over by acting Chief Justice Allan Mendonca and acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle. De Silva began her career as a legal officer and moved up to State Counsel II. She was due for promotion to State Counsel III and was number one on the merit list.

However, she opted for an appointment to the magisterial bench. De Silva obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree (London) and the Legal Education Certificate from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School, St Augustine. She recently completed a Masters degree in Business Administration. Her other interests are playing steelpan and events management.

She will preside in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court.