Phipps shocked at death of legal giant Beverley Walrond
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW FRANK Phipps has expressed shock at the passing of his Jamaica-born colleague Lady Beverley Walrond, who on Sunday succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle overseas.
“My wife and I are deeply saddened. The news of her passing was very shocking to us because she’s a vibrant, happy person. She came to Jamaica when I celebrated 60 years of practice,” Phipps said in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.
Walrond, along with her husband Sir Errol, was involved in a motor vehicle collision in Miami, Florida, last Thursday. Sir Errol is said to have to sustained minor injuries.
Both reside in Barbados. Describing her as extremely pleasant and hard-working, Phipps said he knew Walrond for years, being familiar with her family, who hail from St Elizabeth.
“When we were in Black River, her family were down there. Her father was a dispenser, he had a pharmacy; and his wife was the secretary of the parish council,” he said, adding that Walrond practised in his office before leaving for Barbados.
Hailed as being instrumental in the development of Barbados’ Family
Court, Walrond was called to the Bar in Barbados in April 1974, subsequently joining the Attorney General’s Chambers as acting Crown counsel, eventually rising to senior Crown Counsel.
In a statement, the family has since expressed gratitude for the support thus far.
“The family would like to thank all those who reached out to us at this tragic time. Although we could not respond to everyone, your support was much appreciated. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date,” the statement read.
In 1978, Walrond entered private practice in Barbados as a partner in the law firm of Smith & Smith. She became the first female president of the Barbados Bar Association.
Walrond was appointed as Queen’s counsel in 1995.