The collective Faculty of Law, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), mourns the passing of one of its stalwarts, Dr. the Hon Nicholas Liverpool, a founding Dean of the Faculty of Law, then at Cave Hill, former President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and judge on the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

In a tribute by Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, University Dean of Law, she notes that ‘he was a true visionary – a pioneer and builder, of both people and of institutions’. One of The UWI’s early scholars in Law Reform, Legal Systems and Real Property, it was perhaps in public and institutional service that Dr. Liverpool made his greatest contributions. It was Dr. Liverpool who started the Caribbean Law Institute Clinic, the USAID project at The UWI, facilitated the Faculty’s entry into international mooting and so much more.

According to Professor Antoine, Dr. ‘Nick’ Liverpool’s quiet, but firm hand was often the real mover and shaker behind the scenes, giving life to the development aspirations of generations of students, staff and other Caribbean peoples through the numerous projects, institutions and activities with which he was involved. A soft spoken, understated, down to earth, but strong, influential leader with a dry sense of humour, he was very much loved and revered.

Professor Antoine also noted that ‘Dr. Liverpool was my own Dean and one of my mentors, so although speaking today as University Dean on behalf of colleague Law Deans, the sense of loss is immense. He lived a good life and left a wonderful legacy. He will be remembered’.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles described his former colleague as an old friend and trusted confidante who was deeply admired and respected. “Not only was he a solid University man, and a stalwart of the legal profession, he was a man who demonstrated persistent care for the affairs of the people of Dominica and the wider Caribbean. He did his very best on many fronts to represent and secure their interests and well-being. He will be missed. As we celebrate his life and its many contributions we offer solace to his family who shared him generously with us within the region and beyond.”