The name Cara Shillingford became a household name in Dominica when she immediately created an impact, taking on high profile cases after she came on the scene as a lawyer seven years ago.
She has gained respect from her colleagues and citizens of the country who follow court matters, and it is clear that the attorney-at-law from the community of Salisbury is today a leading constitutional lawyer and an advocate for human rights.
Her avowed dedication to uphold the law and ensure that justice prevails is one key reason why Nature Isle News – NIN – has adjudged Cara Shillingford the publication’s 2020 Person of the Year.
Looking back on the troubled year fast coming to an end, Shillingford describes 2020 as a year of many challenges including the pandemic COVID-19.
However, she is quick to point out that it was also a year of many successes with cases, and other aspects of her life.
“I love law and have always had a passion for it,” she told NIN, revealing that “it was a desire of my father (Hilary) that I study law.”
Her prowess in court is well documented, the young attorney having in 2019 single-handedly taken on the election 2014 treating case, coming up against the experienced Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan and three of his junior lawyers.
In 2020 the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) ruled in her favour by a 2-1 majority decision.
The matter was recently heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), with the regional court’s Law Lords having reserved their decision.
Shillingford and Attorney Wayne Marsh argued before the CCJ that the majority decision of the Court of Appeal should be upheld. They submitted that the Prime Minister and other members of Parliament do not have immunity from criminal prosecution for electoral offices.
“Many persons are reluctant to challenge the status quo even in the face of injustice. I, however, have never been afraid to take on a difficult case when I believe that I am on the right side of the law,” She explained.
Shillingford operated for several years as a sole practitioner and says, unlike others who work for eight hours a day she works for a minimum of ten (10) a day.
“I have always been prepared to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices for the success of my practice. This is an attitude and discipline which I developed very long ago, from my high school days. It has stuck with me throughout the years,” she told NIN.
“One of the biggest hurdles which I currently face is dealing with the backlog of cases in the court system. The pursuit of justice can be frustrating when cases are delayed through no fault of the parties involved.”
She says too, “I have always been the type of person to stand up to bullies and to confront injustice. It is my firm belief, that all persons are born equal and that no man is above the law. I fear only God.”
Shillingford points out that over the years she has developed professional friendships and healthy working relationships with quite a few senior lawyers “who I can describe as mentors.”
“Their names are too numerous to mention but the two who immediately come to mind are (former Attorney General of Antigua and Barbuda – Dominican) Justin Simon QC and Dawn Yearwood.”
Cara Shillingford confesses to jealously guarding her professional reputation because it is “of utmost importance to me and therefore I pay great attention to the quality of my work.”
She pays tribute to her parents who she credits with having played a pivotal role in who she is and where she is today.
“My parents, Hilary Shillingford and Sylvia Vidal have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. It was my father’s dream that I become a lawyer. As a child, I grew to adopt this dream as my own and over the years I became more and more passionate about the law. From childhood, my mom has always been there to provide solid and wise advice. My family has played a crucial role in my life,” she points out.
The successful attorney confirms that she has a passion and zeal for constitutional law and human rights.
“Constitutional law and human rights have always been among my favourite areas of law. The scope of my practice is however much wider and includes probate, conveyance, tort, and commercial law. Together with my partner Attorney-at-law Wayne Marsh, we are focused on providing the best quality of legal services possible not only in Dominica but also internationally,” Shillingford affirmed.