Zimbabwe's Chief Judge, Law Society Honored for Commitment to Rule of Law in Face of...

Business Editors

ST. THOMAS, V.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001

Peter Gruber Foundation Recognizes

Courage, Integrity with Inaugural Justice Prize

An organization and an individual dedicated to judicial integrity and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, a nation

Chief Judge Anthony Roy Gubbay of Zimbabwe as well as the Law Society of Zimbabwe, which represents some 800 legal practitioners in the country, each will receive U.S.$100,000 and a gold medal. The ceremony will take place on November 29 at Runnymede, England, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215 setting out the basic tenets of the world's modern legal system. The Law Society will be represented by its president, Sternford Moyo.

Chief Justice Gubbay's persistence in recent years in protecting and enforcing the rule of law and resisting the encroachment of the government and political parties against judicial independence raised the ire of Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, who forced Justice Gubbay's early retirement.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe, led by its president, Sternford Moyo, also has been a staunch supporter of an independent judiciary, condemning the usurpation of the courts' authority, and it has delivered a petition to the president demanding reform. Mr. Moyo also chastised the chief executive for allowing judges and other law officers to be threatened and demeaned; for attempts to dictate legal decisions; and for refusing to enforce court orders unfavorable to the government.

Originally from England, Justice Gubbay immigrated in 1958 to what was then known as Southern Rhodesia. He practiced law for nearly 20 years before being sworn in as a judge of the high court in 1977. He established a reputation for fairness and wisdom, and served as acting chief justice numerous times before being appointed to that position in 1990.

Peter Gruber, founder of the Foundation that bears his name, said, "The Peter Gruber Foundation is pleased to recognize and honor Justice Gubbay and the Law Society of Zimbabwe. Both have shown remarkable courage and integrity in the face of overwhelming pressure to ignore the rule of law."

The official citation for the award reads:

"Justice Anthony R. Gubbay, former Chief Justice of Zimbabwe, has shown exemplary courage in upholding the independence of the judiciary and in protecting the rights of the people of Zimbabwe.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of its then president Sternford Moyo, spoke out courageously for the independence of the Bar and the Bench of Zimbabwe, in particular by its support for the Chief Justice and the judiciary of Zimbabwe."

The Peter Gruber Foundation

The Peter Gruber Foundation awards a series of prizes annually, recognizing achievements in various areas of endeavor. A distinguished Advisory Board in each field determines the recipients.

This is the first year for the Justice Prize. The Justice Advisory Board members are: the Honorable Arlin Adams, retired U.S. Court of Appeals judge and counsel with Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis in Philadelphia; Honorable Prafull N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India and vice chairman of the UN Human Rights Committee; Madame Christine Chanet, Presidente Commite des Droits de l'Homme des Nations Unies; Honorable Driss Dahak Premier President de la Cour Supreme Royaume du Maroc, Morocco; Justice Claire L'Heureux Dube, Supreme Court of Canada; Honorable Albie Sachs, Constitutional Court of South Africa.

The Peter Gruber Foundation is a philanthropic organization, funded solely by Peter Gruber. In addition to its international awards program, it provides funding for many charitable initiatives, principally in the U.S. Virgin Islands where it is located.

More information on the foundation and about the prize program is available on its website at petergruberfoundation.org.

Editors' note: Additional background information on Chief Judge Anthony Roy Gubbay and the Law Society of Zimbabwe are available. Please contact Alan Dee at Aland@AGDCommunications.com or in New York at 212-864-0000.