Satnarine Sharma

Satnarine Sharma (January 24, 1943^[1] – October 9, 2019) was the Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago from 2002 until 2008.^[2] He was succeeded by Ivor Archie.^[3][4]

The Honourable Satnarine Sharma
7th Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago
In office 2002–2008
Prime Minister	Patrick Manning
Preceded by	Michael de la Bastide
Succeeded by	Ivor Archie
Personal details
Occupation	Chief Justice

Early life and education

Sharma was born in Curepe to shopkeepers Harripersad and Kowsil. He was educated at Curepe Canadian Mission School, Hillview College, and Naparima College.^[1]

Sharma left for England in 1963 where he read law and was called to the bar of Inner Temple in 1966 and was admitted to the bar in Trinidad and Tobago in 1967.^[1]

Career

Sharma worked in the civil service before leaving for England in 1963. After completing his legal studies, he returned to Trinidad and Tobago in 1967. He returned to London later than year where he was appointed a judge. In 1968 he returned to Trinidad and Tobago where he was worked as a magistrate. In 1984 he was appointed a high court judge, and an appeal court judge in 1988.^[1]

Sharma was appointed Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago in July 2002. In 2008 he resigned from the position.^[1]

Controversy

In July 2006, Sharma was arrested and accused of trying to help Basdeo Panday, a former prime minister who was sentenced in April to two years in prison for corruption,^[5][6][7][8] an action which some perceived as racist.^[9] An international tribunal ruled that there was insufficient evidence to remove him from office in December 2007. He however resigned as scheduled in January 2008.^[10][11]

Personal life

Sharma and his wife Kalawaty had two sons.^[1]

Awards and honours

Sharma was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) and the Trinity Cross, which was the country's highest national award at the time.^[1]