Photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
LEFT: When Justice Panton (left) was deputy clerk of the court, he answered to this man, Justice Boyd Carey, who was also out to celebrate with his protégé.
RIGHT: Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall (left) receives a cheerful greeting from Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and the guest of honour, Justice Seymour Panton, at Panton's 40th anniversary of being called to the bar, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, November 28.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
One of the many dates possibly etched into Justice Seymour Panton's brain is November 26, 1968.
That's the day when he was called to the bar at the prestigious Lincoln's Inn in London at the tender age of 22. So after 40 years of serving the noble profession, the jovial jurist threw a fancy dinner to celebrate the occasion. Justice Panton invited friends, family, colleagues and old classmates from his Rusea's High School days.
The entertainment was provided by Warm 'N' Easy; the duo at times having guests rocking in their chairs and applauding their stringed renditions. Young violinist Rochelle Haynes also chipped in with a few numbers that were equally well received.
The tributes were all comedic in parts, erudite in delivery and heartfelt in origin. They joked about his lack of grey hair (surprising for his age and his job), his love of cricket (even travelling to watch his beloved Windies) and his 'Friday night crew'.
But they also spoke of his tremendous work with the Rusea's alumni and his fairness on the bench. As if he needed any other plaudits, it was announced that a mentorship centre being completed at his beloved alma mater would bear his name.
Guests out included Justice Panton's brother, Lloyd Panton; sister, Joan Kelly; Justice Mahadev Dukharan and wife, Ann-Marie; Justice Paul Harrison; Rev Maj Dr Sirrano Kitso; Almarie Haynes; Justice Howard Cooke Jr; Ray Chapman; Langston Sibblies; Kent Pantry; Lloyd Tomlinson and Eric Frater.