Retirement, Post-Retirement and Conclusion

• Author: Albert Fiadjoe
• Profession: Professor of Public Law at the University of the West Indies and a former Dean of Law
• Pages: 224-233

224 | Telford Georges: A Legal Odyssey

RETIREMENT, POST-RETIREMENT

AND CONCLUSION

RETIREMENT

Telford describes the years after retirement – 1989–2000 – as one

of the busiest periods in his working life. He did a phenomenal amount

of work, not only in the courts as an appellate judge, but also as a

member of various committees and commissions of enquiry. He sat

on the Courts of Appeal in the Seychelles, Belize, Bermuda and the

Cayman Islands. The legal work in the last two jurisdictions was at

once stimulating and challenging, ranging from comparatively dull

matters but for the human element, such as drug cases, to very

sophisticated and complex international cases involving legal reasoning

which so often challenged the intellect. His capacity for hard work did

not diminish with age and his output was tremendous. He wrote his

judgments speedily so that litigants would not be kept waiting unduly

for a decision. His record as a judge was aptly summed up on his

retirement from the Caymans Court where he served longest as an

appellate judge, by the President, the Rt. Hon. Mr. Justice Edward

Zacca, a long time colleague. Justice Zacca described him as “an

extraordinary Judge, because he has all the attributes which are necessary

to be a Judge – capacity for hard work, knowledge of the law, ability to

interpret the law, a sharp mind, ability to analyse the facts, dignity,

patience, willingness to listen to divergent views, easy to work with,

courteous.” This view was endorsed by the Registrar of the Caymans

Court, Mr. Valdis Foldats. In a letter to Telford, Foldats stated – “Your

formidable intellect was daunting; fortunately it was tempered by a

peaceful and charitable nature. The ‘darts’ you delivered, although

pointed, were never hurtful. Your comments from the bench always

illuminated and revealed, allowing the court to find the right path.”

‘Darts’ he did deliver, but with such a charming smile and courteous