A viewing and tribute service was held at the Berbice High Court on Sunday for Senior Counsel Murseline Bacchus, followed by a heartfelt gathering at his home in Sheet Anchor Canje, where family, friends, and colleagues paid their respects before his burial at the Stanleytown cemetery.
At the court, numerous lawyers and judges expressed admiration and sorrow as they bid farewell to Mr. Bacchus. Attorney-at-Law Mirza Sahadat, a member of the Berbice Bar Association, highlighted Mr. Bacchus’s approachability and extensive knowledge in various areas of law, particularly maritime law.
“He was always up to date with the latest cases and legislation. He had a wealth of knowledge which he was willing to share with any lawyer. Mr. Bacchus was knowledgeable in almost all aspects of the law. He could quickly research anything he didn’t know. He was a walking library, citing cases from memory. He was an excellent cross-examiner, especially in criminal matters. The accolade of Senior Counsel came late in life; he deserved it long ago. When other lawyers were in trouble, he freely and successfully defended them,” Sahadat remarked.
President of the Guyana Bar Association, Attorney Kamal Ramkarran, spoke of Mr. Bacchus’s profound passion for criminal law and jury trials, noting that his love for the Assizes was unmatched and encouraging fellow lawyers to embrace this passion.
Justice Damone Younge, speaking on behalf of the judiciary, commended Mr. Bacchus for his professionalism and respectfulness during their time at the Berbice High Court, stating he was among her favorite attorneys and would be deeply missed.
Mr. Bacchus’s wife, Pamela Bacchus, expressed gratitude for the privilege of being his partner, remarking, “Muchu was not only a remarkable husband but also a generous teacher and wise mentor to me and so many others. He was an incredible father.”
His children celebrated his admirable qualities and the values he instilled in them.
Mr. Bacchus passed away on June 24 after a brief illness. A pre-eminent lawyer in Berbice and one of Guyana’s leading criminal attorneys, he dedicated five decades to the legal profession with unparalleled distinction. An early Caribbean-trained law graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School, he was a lifelong friend and classmate of former DPP and Chief Justice Ian Chang SC. Together, they demonstrated that a Caribbean legal education was equivalent to English standards and paved the way for future generations of Caribbean-trained lawyers.
Appointed Senior Counsel by President David Granger in 2020 and inducted into the Inner Bar that same year, Mr. Bacchus earned esteemed respect from colleagues, clients, and the judiciary alike. He was in his 50th year as an Attorney-at-Law at the time of his passing.
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