An independent legal opinion out of Trinidad and Tobago has described the controversial reappointment of CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett as procedurally flawed, and legally void.

The conclusion was made in a 48-page document authored by Rajendra Ramlogan, professor of commercial and environmental law at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

The document, which was made public on Monday, determined that Barnett’s reappointment was invalid and not consistent with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, as it lacked support from two-thirds of regional heads, noting that only 10 of the 15 member states had a say.