[UPDATED] Attorney, 61, collapses in court, dies before judges

THE legal fraternity is mourning the sudden death of an attorney who collapsed while making submissions in the Court of Appeal on Friday.

Retired deputy Solicitor General Duncan Neil Byam reportedly collapsed while addressing Justices of Appeal Allan Mendonca, Prakash Moosai and Gillian Lucky at the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain.

Byam, 61, retired from the SG’s department on July 2, 2021, and had gone into private practice.

Newsday understands while addressing the court, he collapsed. He was appearing for the Ministry of Energy in an appeal involving a quarry operator although he was now in private practice.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him by a security guard at the Hall of Justice. Also providing assistance when the emergency response team arrived 20 minutes later were the judges and the attorneys who were in court.

In response to questions from Newsday, the Judiciary said, “We can confirm that there was a medical incident involving an attorney in court today.”

On Friday afternoon, Moosai extended the court’s “heartfelt condolences” to the legal fraternity and Byam’s wife and family.

He described Byam as an “outstanding luminary” who carried the Solicitor General’s department for many years as a young man and as an adult.

“His character was unimpeachable... It was very, very tragic.”

Moosai said the incident emphasised the need for the Hall of Justice to overhaul its emergency protocols to provide an expeditious response.

“For an institution like the Hall of Justice, with so many people on a daily basis, it may be necessary to have another look at the protocols in place to see whether we need to have our emergency services overhauled in order to provide expeditious response. We are not medically trained...I hope it is not systemic.”

“It should have been more expeditious,” he said.

Also extending condolences was Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, who was also in court when Byam collapsed and also provided assistance. He offered condolences on behalf of the legal fraternity and the Law Association.

He said Byam was always a pleasure to work with and was straightforward and honest to the court. He said he was also amiable and kind.

Former attorney general, Anand Ramlogan, SC, also expressed condolences, saying he knew Byam since he (Ramlogan) entered practice.

“He carved out a niche for himself and always put the interest of the State first. The Bar has lost an institution.” He also said Byam had a colourful personality and a sense of humour. “He was an affable fella.”

Mendes and Ramlogan were before Justices Moosai, Lucky and James Aboud for the delivery of a judgment in the local government challenge.

They observed a minute of silence in the court at the start of the hearing.

Byam’s colleague Anthony Manwah, with whom he began working after he retired from the SG’s department, said his death was “tragic and devastating.”

In a Facebook post, attorney Larry Lalla also offered condolences. “In a fair country that rewards merit he would have been made senior counsel and our country’s Solicitor General years ago! Condolences to his family.”

Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed said she worked with Byam “in the early days of his career” at the SG’s department, adding, “I pray that he rests in peace.”

Others who witnessed his collapse said they were traumatised.

Minister of Local Government Faris Al-Rawi lamented Byam's death as he piloted the Miscellaneous Provisions (Establishment of the Borough of Diego Martin and Borough of Siparia) Bill 2021 in the House of Representatives.

He said the court had just ruled against a UNC challenge to a government move to extend local councillors terms from three to four years.

"Just prior to the delivery of that judgment that has now echoed we lost a public servant past of note. Mr Neil Byam collapsed and passed away, literally in the Court of Appeal today.

"Permit me, Madam Speaker, having worked with Mr Byam for many years in my capacity as (former) attorney general and minister of legal affairs, and years prior, to offer deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

"Because surely today he didn't wake up with the intention of departing us that soon. May the Lord God rest his soul in eternal peace and may the Lord have mercy on him. Dear Lord, we pray for that."

Also extending condolences was UNC senator Jayanti Lutchmedial, who, in a Facebook post, said she felt profound sadness when she heard the news.

“I met ‘Byam’ as we all called him, when I was an in-service trainee at the ministry (of the Attorney General) in 2005.

“He was pleasant, quirky and really smart. In later years, as we appeared on opposite sides, he was always very respectful, forthright and straightforward with the court and opposing counsel, upholding the traditions of the Bar.

“He gave many years of service to the state (which is no easy task) and I always felt that he was undervalued. I am very sorry for his family’s loss and I pray his soul RIP.”

As news of Byam’s death spread, judges before whom he had appeared registered their shock and also bemoaned the lack of emergency response services at the Judiciary.

“Notwithstanding the substantial funds which the Judiciary has recieved, the Hall of Justice has deteriorated and is almost derelict.

“It is obscene that a fully-engaged medical response team was not available to offer immediate attention to Mr Byam. The Judiciary is in crisis.”

This story has been updated with additional details. It was first published under the headline Attorney dies while addressing Appeal Court.

THE legal fraternity is mourning after the sudden death of an attorney who collapsed while making submissions in the Court of Appeal on Friday.

Retired deputy Solicitor General Duncan Neil Byam reportedly collapsed while addressing Justices of Appeal Allan Mendonca, Prakash Moosai and Gillian Lucky at the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain.

Byam retired from the SG’s department on July 2, 2021, a notice published in the Gazette said, and had gone into private practice.

In response to questions from Newsday, the Judiciary said, “We can confirm that there was a medical incident involving an attorney in court today.”