The legal community in Guyana expanded on Thursday with the admission of Fenton Jonathan Budhram to practice as an Attorney-at-Law before the courts of Guyana. His petition for admission was presented by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court.
Budhram, who hails from Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, is the son of Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravindradat Budhram and educator Laleita Budhram. His application, made under the Legal Practitioners Act, Chapter 4:01, was supported by a statutory declaration affirming his good character and professional suitability to be enrolled among Guyana’s Attorneys-at-Law.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE
Budhram’s educational journey reflects a blend of discipline, service, and ambition. A former student of St. Margaret’s Primary and St. Rose’s High School, he excelled at the CSEC examinations with top grades before moving on to The Bishops’ High School, where he attained distinctions at the CAPE level.
In 2020, he entered the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Law, graduating with Distinction in 2023. That same year, he was awarded a Government of Guyana scholarship to pursue studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad and Tobago.
While at HWLS, he served as Secretary of the Hindu Students’ Society and completed a 10-week in-service training attachment at the Office of the DPP between June and August 2024. He earned his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Council of Legal Education on October 4, 2025, officially qualifying him to join the Bar.
TRIBUTES TO FAMILY AND MENTORS
In his address to the Court, Budhram expressed heartfelt thanks to Chief Justice Singh for approving his admission and to Mrs. Ali-Hack for moving his petition. Quoting author Sidney Sheldon, he remarked, “Life is like a novel, filled with suspense; you never know what happens until you turn the page.”
Reflecting on his formative years, he spoke about what he fondly called the “table of determination”—the dining table where he, his parents, and brother spent countless evenings studying together.
He paid tribute to his father for his humility and integrity, and to his mother for nurturing his persistence and compassion. He also extended gratitude to his brother Joshua, his nanny Dorothy Sukhai, and grandmother Seenita Budhram for their encouragement and prayers, while honouring the memory of his late grandfathers Rajanand Sukhai and Nandlall Budhram, whose examples continue to inspire him.
MENTORSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Budhram credited his professional growth to the mentorship of Mrs. Ali-Hack, under whose guidance he gained insight into criminal prosecution and community outreach efforts focused on domestic violence and sexual offences.
He also acknowledged the influence of several legal luminaries and mentors, including Ms. Lake, Ms. O’Brien, Dr. Rahaman, retired Chancellor Carl Singh, and legal officers from the Attorney General’s Chambers—among them Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Mr. Nigel Hawke, and Ms. Shoshana Lall.
Thanking his peers from both Guyana and Trinidad, Budhram described them as the “silver linings” of his academic and professional path.
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE
Motivated by his early exposure to law enforcement through his father’s career, Budhram said he was drawn to a life of public service and justice.
“I vow to execute my duties as an Attorney-at-Law with humility and integrity,” he affirmed. “It will be my honour to serve this noble profession and this Honourable Court.”
The ceremony concluded with acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh granting the order for Budhram’s admission to practice before all courts in Guyana—signifying the beginning of what promises to be a distinguished legal career grounded in family values, hard work, and service.
