DR Kenneth Rattray, the former solicitor-general and chairman of the island’s Air Policy Committee, died on Monday after a long illness. He was 72.

“Dr Rattray’s contribution to public service in general and to the development of our legal jurisprudence in particular is not easily matched,” Prime Minister P J Patterson said yesterday in a tribute to the life of the outstanding Jamaican.

“Jamaica has lost an outstanding public servant of inestimable value,” he added.

The Caribbean region and the developing world, Patterson said, are indebted to Dr Rattray for the important contribution that he made to the development of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

Patterson also hailed Dr Rattray for his outstanding contributions to the development of Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina industry, especially the partnership or joint venture agreements and two of the principle pieces of legislation which have governed bauxite mining operators over the last 25 to 30 years – the Bauxite (Production Levy) Act of 1974 and the Bauxite (Special Provision) Act of 1977.

Dr Rattray was ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Jamaica and ambassador-at-large from 1974 until the time of his death.

His acknowledged expertise in law played a major role in influencing the universal acceptance of the concept that saw the ocean and its resources beyond the limits of the national jurisdiction become the common heritage of mankind.

He also played an integral role in the birth of the national airline, and as one of the principal negotiators in securing the recognition of Air Jamaica as the country’s national carrier, Dr Rattray also secured route rights between Jamaica and several countries through Bilateral Air Transport Agreements.

Dr Rattray started his career in Law as an assistant crown counsel in 1961. He served as solicitor-general to successive governments for 20 years from 1972-1992. After his retirement he continued to work in a consultancy capacity, advising the government on a wide range of legislative matters, including those related to the public sector.

He received the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s 50th Anniversary Medal of Honour for eminent contribution to aviation in 1994 and the Edward Warner Award for outstanding contribution to International Civil Aviation in 1998.

“His body of legislative works manifests a brilliant mind and a creative legal professional,” Patterson said yesterday. “His undisputed legacy as a lawyer and public servant will continue to stand as proud and strong as our country,” said Patterson of Dr Rattray, his long-time friend and legal colleague.

Dr Rattray is survived by his wife Faith, his two sons and three daughters.