My mother-in-law, Agnes Cato, who has died aged 86, worked at her legal practice in Kingstown, on the Caribbean island of St Vincent, until the day she died. She combined devout Christianity with a precise understanding of the law, and a capacity to destroy the arguments of her adversaries – in court, in public life and among family members – succinctly and utterly. She was an effective president of the Vincentian Bar Association from 1987 until 1991.
One of 17 siblings, she was born Agnes Ambrose in Kingstown and educated at the local high school. In 1945 she married St Aubyn Cato, and in the 1950s oversaw her family's emigration to England, supporting her children, Theresa and Marcus, while St Aubyn worked his way through the English bar qualifications. Both Agnes and St Aubyn were called to the bar, and they lived in London for the next 15 years.
In 1969 Agnes was appointed registrar of the St Vincent high court, in due course becoming senior magistrate as the island moved to independence. The many stories of her time on the bench reflect her practicality and her sense of humour. On one occasion, she asked a Rastafarian defendant how he came to be in possession of stolen goods, and he replied that Jah had told him to take the items. Agnes rejoined that Jah was telling her to impose a considerable fine. Along with other influential Caribbean women, Agnes was mentioned in a calypso by Papa Das. In 1980, she joined her husband in setting up a legal practice in Kingstown.
In 1999 she was awarded the Benemerenti medal by Pope John Paul II for her services to the Catholic church. She enjoyed gardening and was interested in new ideas throughout her life. St Aubyn died in 2005; Agnes is survived by Theresa and Marcus, and three grandchildren, Paul, Marcella and Marisse.