Hughes Fields & Stoby successfully represented Paul Slowe, former Assistant Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, in constitutional proceedings against The Attorney General arising from his unlawful arrest and detention at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on 15 October 2021. Representing Mr. Slowe were Nigel Hughes and Kiswana Jefford.

In a judgment delivered on 24 August 2026, the Hon. Justice Nicola Pierre found that Mr. Slowe’s constitutional right to personal liberty, protected by Article 139 of the Constitution, had been infringed when officers restrained him at the Magistrates’ Court despite his attendance pursuant to a court summons and despite objections that there was no lawful basis for his arrest. The State admitted liability for assault, battery and false imprisonment.

The Court held that although the restraint lasted approximately ten minutes, the circumstances were serious. Mr. Slowe was attending court in response to a summons in the very matter for which officers sought to arrest him. The restraint continued even after attorneys-at-law informed the officers that the arrest was unlawful. The incident occurred in public view and was recorded and later disseminated through traditional and social media.

Justice Pierre awarded G$800,000 in compensatory damages for assault, battery and false imprisonment and a further G$200,000 in vindicatory damages for the breach of Mr. Slowe’s constitutional right to personal liberty, emphasizing that police powers must be exercised strictly according to law. The Court underscored the importance of constitutional protections against arbitrary arrest and detention and the need to vindicate those rights where they are infringed.

The Court entered judgment in favour of Mr. Slowe in the sum of G$1,000,000 and awarded costs of G$250,000.

This decision reaffirms the fundamental constitutional principle that no person may be deprived of liberty except in accordance with the law, and that public authorities will be held accountable where those rights are violated.

Slowe decision 2024-8-SOC PAUL SLOWE -VS- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL