Belize will join Caribbean court

Belize will join the Caribbean Court of Justice… and while that intention has been known for some time, it was only yesterday that Cabinet gave its formal endorsement. The actual instrument of ratification will be signed by Foreign Minister Assad Shoman immediately after the Senate gives its approval at its next sitting. The agreement establishing the C.C.J. came into effect on July twenty-third when Guyana became the third country to ratify, following St. Lucia and Barbados. At present, however, the institution exists only on paper, as the mechanism for funding its operation has not yet been implemented. When it does begin to function, the Caribbean Court of Justice will replace the Privy Council as the region’s final Court of Appeal. It will also serve as a court of original jurisdiction to resolve disputes between states arising under the treaty establishing the Caribbean Community.