Appearing Chief Justice of the Japanese Caribbean Supreme Courtroom (ECSC), Mario Michel, introduced on Friday that he’ll retire from his place on Could 5, 2025, and expressed hope that his departure will pave the way in which for the unanimous appointment of a everlasting head of the courtroom.
Michel, a St. Lucian nationwide, took up the appearing position in Could 2024, succeeding Dame Janice M. Pereira, who served as chief justice for over a decade.
Throughout a particular sitting of the ECSC, Justice Michel defined that whereas his appointment was initially set to run out in 2026, he had determined to retire early to clear the trail for the appointment of a brand new chief justice. “I’m hoping that my retirement will assist to clear the trail to a unanimous resolution of the OECS heads of presidency on a everlasting appointment to the workplace of chief justice,” he mentioned.
Michel’s profession within the ECSC spans over 16 years, together with time as an appearing Excessive Courtroom choose, a resident Excessive Courtroom choose, and most lately, as appearing chief justice. He additionally mirrored on his lengthy authorized profession, which included almost 15 years as a lawyer in non-public apply and over 9 years in authorities, serving as a parliamentarian and deputy prime minister of St. Lucia.
In his farewell tackle, Justice Michel thanked the Judicial and Authorized Companies Fee (JLSC) for his or her belief and assist, and emphasised his pleasure in his service throughout all three branches of presidency. He additionally expressed his gratitude to the ECSC judges and courtroom employees, in addition to his household, for his or her assist all through his profession.
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Justice Michel took a second to spotlight his work on the ECSC’s public schooling programme, which he hopes will proceed beneath the subsequent chief justice. “We’ve executed a number of very helpful issues in these final seven months, together with visits to group faculties and public lectures, however there’s nonetheless a lot to be executed,” he famous. “I hope the subsequent chief justice will proceed these efforts.”
Regardless of the optimism for the long run, Michel’s retirement marks the top of a tenure that some, like his lifelong pal, King’s Counsel Dexter Theodore, consider was minimize quick. Theodore lamented the shortage of unanimous consent from regional leaders for Michel’s elevation to chief justice, calling the system that enables politicians to affect such appointments “flawed.” He praised Michel’s independence and the impression of his judgments, which he mentioned have considerably formed the authorized panorama of the area.
Justice Michel, who pledged his ongoing assist to his successor, closed his remarks by acknowledging that whereas his departure marks the top of an period, his work with the ECSC has been a rewarding a part of his 41-year profession.
