The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is observing its 15th anniversary today, April 16 2020. Headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, the regional court was inaugurated in 2005 as an alternative to the Privy Council. Dominica, Guyana, Belize and Barbados have adopted the CCJ as their final appellate court.
President of the Bar Association of Saint Lucia, Ms. Renee St. Rose believes that Saint Lucia should follow suit. Last December, she told the STAR: “I think it is very important for Saint Lucia to make the CCJ its final appellate Court. The Privy Council is restrictive financially, and also in terms of distance. For example, consider that our Court of Appeal determines hundreds of cases a year but only about one a year ever goes on appeal to the Privy Council. This does not work well for our jurisprudence in Saint Lucia.”
Saint Lucia’s Constitutional Reform Commission also recommended adopting the CCJ. The Commission’s 2011 report states: “The Commission was convinced that a commitment needed to be made to complete Saint Lucia’s growth as a civilization in its own right, and that the umbilical ties to the former colonial motherland needed to be broken. The Commission regarded it as incompatible with the status of independence that the interpretation of Saint Lucia’s laws should be done for it by a foreign power, on foreign soil.”
Below is a Statement by CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders on the Court’s 15th anniversary:
Today, 16 April 2020, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) marks 15 years of serving the region.
Admittedly, while our current global environment is a sombre one as we fight against the COVID-19
pandemic, we feel it necessary to acknowledge this milestone and the work of all the employees from
around the region that have contributed, presently contribute and continue to contribute to the rule of law in the Caribbean.
Since its inauguration in 2005, the Court has worked on the premise that it is more just than a building, it is a service. This is a service that we have taken seriously, as the establishment of the CCJ was a defining moment in the history of the people of the region. For those countries that embrace our appellate jurisdiction, it symbolises the end of colonial ties. Even for those states that only operate under the Court’s original jurisdiction, the CCJ signalled a new and different approach to regionalism. Here for the first time was a judicial body that exclusively and authoritatively determined disputes or questions concerning the CARICOM Treaty.
Underpinning what our stakeholders see in the judgments of the Court, is the hard work put in by the entire staff to ensure the CCJ’s efficiency and effectiveness. The staff of the Registries of national judiciaries that support us must also be complimented for their assistance. We take the time to applaud each and every one of these staff members for their unfailing dedication to continually go over and beyond the call of duty. As the Court has adopted its vision “To be a model of judicial excellence”, we have risen to the challenge, ensuring that we produce quality judgments that are responsive to the needs of the region and are reflective of our history, values and traditions.
We have also promoted a culture that supports legal development, one that enhances the quality of judges and court administration throughout the region. This has resulted in capacity-building bodies such as the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers, the CCJ Academy for Law and The Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project, each of which, helps to transform the legal profession and justice sectors across the wider Caribbean.
The Court has been one that long responded to the need to meet its peoples virtually. Thus, our present climate has afforded us the opportunity to reap the benefits of our technology. For quite some time now, all of the Court’s filing and case processing and management systems have been electronic or automated. Many hearings are conducted via video conferencing. Our new Practice Directions allow for emergency hearings so that we can continue our work seamlessly in both sure and uncertain times.
Finally, it is important that we thank all of the countries that have allowed us to serve them, both in the original and appellate jurisdictions. We also thank counsel both from the region and outside the region who have appeared before the Court and assisted us with their submission. Your faith in us is our driving force as we continue to work towards “providing accessible, fair and efficient justice for the people and states of the Caribbean Community”.
The Honourable Mr Justice Adrian Saunders
President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
