Attorney General Anand Ramlogan yesterday expressed condolences on the passing of Tajmool Hosein, QC.

"Mr Hosein was a towering and authoritative figure in the legal fraternity whose contributions to the profession and public life were of immeasurable value in shaping our nation and region politically and economically.

On a personal note, Mr Hosein was a mentor and hero of the Attorney General as they came from the same village, that is, Williamsville. Hosein qualified as a barrister in 1946 and became an internationally recognised expert in constitutional law. It was his distinguished career in constitutional law that piqued the Attorney General's interest in this area," Ramlogan said in a statement from the Office of the Attorney General.

In 1961, Hosein joined the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and stood as a candidate for Chaguanas in the elections that year. He won the seat and served as Member of Parliament for Chaguanas during the period 1961 to 1966.

"During the course of his professional career, he declined offers to become Chief Justice, and President of the Caribbean Court of Justice. He turned down those recommendations with a sense of humility over being offered such prestigious opportunities," Ramlogan said, adding: "He began an illustrious legal career when he was admitted as a barrister into the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn in 1946, having captured the Buchanan Prize for topping the entire British Empire in his Bar Finals."

"In 1964, 18 years after being called to Bar, Mr Hosein was awarded Silk in recognition for his brilliant contribution and outstanding achievements in the sphere of law. Eighteen years later, in 1982, he was further honoured by being bestowed the nation's highest honour, the Trinity Cross," Ramlogan said. "Moreover, he had a quiet and unassuming character and was a man of very few words but remains one of the most distinguished constitutional lawyer in the region."