PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—On Wednesday, the Caribbean Court docket celebrated its twentieth anniversary, with outgoing President Justice Adrian Saunders saying,” ‘Immediately is a time for reflection and giving thanks.
The Caribbean Group (CARICOM) judicial establishment, established in 2005 to interchange the London-based Privy Council because the area’s highest and remaining Court docket, has each an Appellate and Unique Jurisdiction. It additionally serves as a world tribunal deciphering the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which governs the 15-member regional integration grouping.
Saunders, the third Caribbean nationwide to go the Trinidad-based Court docket following the late Justice Michael de la Bastide and Sir Dennis Byron, stated for the previous 20 years, the CCJ has upheld the rule of regulation, safeguarded rights, and strengthened Caribbean jurisprudence.
“The Court docket has been a shining instance of Caribbean ingenuity, with its modern funding association, within the type of the CCJ Belief Fund, and, by way of the institution of the Regional Judicial and Authorized Providers Fee, its insulation from exterior interference in its recruitment practices,” stated the St. Vincent and the Grenadines born jurist.
“This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of 20 lengthy years but additionally of our enduring dedication to delivering accessible, honest, and environment friendly justice to the individuals and states of the Caribbean.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to serve the individuals of this area, and we, the judges and workers of the Court docket, are extremely grateful to have had that chance over the previous 20 years. We sit up for doing so for the subsequent 20 years and past,” Justice Saunders stated.
The milestone was celebrated with an Interfaith Service of Reflection and Prayer on the Queen’s Corridor in St. Ann’s, outdoors the capital. The top of state of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Kangaroo, additionally attended.
It was additionally attended by members of the Trinidad and Tobago judiciary, authorities, the Inter-Non secular Organisation (IRO), regional stakeholders, members of the diplomatic corps, the authorized fraternity, and commissioners of the Regional Judicial and Authorized Providers Fee (RJLSC).
RJLSC member Sophia Chote SC instructed the ceremony that the CCJ’s achievements are the achievements of the Caribbean area.
“We proceed to have accountable Commissions and make sure that the CCJ’s Bench is populated solely with the very best. The judges are aware of their accountability to the area and discharge their duties with diligence and integrity,” she stated.
“The Registrar and her workers and different arms of the group proceed to carry out their duties responsibly and innovate. The academic arm of the CCJ has had worthwhile outreach with judges, attorneys, and regulation college students all through the area,” Chote added.
Since its institution, the CCJ has heard over 400 issues in its Appellate Jurisdiction and 37 in its Unique Jurisdiction.
The CCJ has additionally developed a fame for innovation within the administration of justice. It was one of many first courts within the area to livestream issues and conduct digital hearings, doing so from as early as 2008.
Along with justice administration, the CCJ’s work with affiliate organizations, akin to its academic arm, the CCJ Academy for Regulation, and the Caribbean Affiliation of Judicial Officers (CAJO), has additionally confirmed helpful to the area.
Lately, the Needham’s Level Declaration on Prison Justice was adopted by way of the efforts of the Academy, chaired by CCJ President-designate Justice Winston Anderson. Since then, it has been cited in over 50 issues all through the area.
CAJO, chaired by Justice Peter Jamadar, gives judicial coaching for judicial officers all through the area to help efficient and environment friendly justice supply.
Other than the Interfaith Service, the CCJ will host a public exhibition later this yr in Port of Spain showcasing a spread of artifacts and archival materials that chronicle its two-decade journey.
As well as, the eighth Biennial CCJ Academy for Regulation Convention will probably be held in November underneath the theme ‘The CCJ at 20: Reflections on Caribbean Jurisprudence”.
