President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has expressed profound condolences on the passing of Attorney-at-Law Rinee Kissoon, describing her as a highly skilled and principled member of the legal fraternity whose professional life exemplified excellence, compassion, and service.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Head of State extended sympathy to her husband, children, relatives, and friends, noting that Guyana has lost one of its most dedicated legal minds.
“She will be remembered as a highly skilled Attorney-at-Law whose commitment to her clients and to service within the justice system was defined by technical excellence,” President Ali said. “Whether in the courtroom or in quiet consultation, she gave of herself fully by preparing meticulously, advocating fearlessly, and upholding the noblest traditions of the Bar.”
The President recalled that Ms. Kissoon was known for her unwavering sense of duty and mastery of the law. “Her dedication went far beyond the letter of professional obligation. She represented many who could not afford her—those whose means were modest but whose causes were just. Their inability to pay her true worth never diminished her representation of them. Even when she was unwell, her clients never saw hesitation or half-measure,” he added.
Dr. Ali said the legal profession has lost an outstanding member whose example will continue to inspire others. “She remains a shining example of what true service to the law should be. May her soul find eternal bliss, and may her family, relatives, and all those who were touched by her spirit find comfort at this time,” he stated.
Rinee Kissoon was a well-respected member of the Guyanese legal fraternity, known for her courtroom brilliance, integrity, and compassion toward her clients. She was admitted to practice law in 1995, and for nearly three decades, she served the justice system with distinction.
Throughout her career, she was involved in several high-profile civil and criminal cases, often appearing before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Her legal acumen was reflected in her involvement in landmark matters, including cases that reached the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), where she appeared alongside Attorney-at-Law Satyesh S. Kissoon in the Sahadeo Prashad v. Basmattie Persaud & Others appeal, a dispute over property title and trust law.
Beyond her courtroom successes, Ms. Kissoon was known for her quiet generosity and mentorship of young attorneys. She frequently presented petitions for newly admitted lawyers, offering words of guidance and encouragement. Colleagues described her as “deeply humane” and “unflinchingly committed to the cause of justice.”
Ms. Kissoon also hailed from a family of distinguished jurists. She was the niece of the late Justice Nandram Kissoon, a former Justice of Appeal in Guyana’s judiciary, and part of a family with a proud legal tradition spanning generations.
Her passing is being deeply mourned across the legal profession, with tributes pouring in from attorneys, former clients, and members of the judiciary who remembered her as “a pillar of professionalism and compassion.”