Caribbean Court publishes book

A new publication which highlights the merits of the soon to be established Caribbean Court of Justice has been launched. Caribbean Court of Justice: Issues and Perspective is a compilation of commentaries and analyses of issues relating to the Caribbean Court. According to the Attorney General of Barbados, who chairs the preparatory committee for the establishment of the C.C.J., the book is the first of several volumes to be published.

Mia Mottley, Attorney General, Barbados

“A decision was taken during the start-up process that there had to be a strong public sensitisation programme for the region, so that the ordinary people in the region, as well as sectoral groups within the region would have an appreciation as to what we were trying to achieve with the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice. This volume in fact, represents the first such volume of Caribbean Court of Justice: Issues and Perspectives and it is intended that it be published quarterly.

This in essence gives persons an understanding of some of the issues and challenges faced in the establishment of a Caribbean Court of Justice. As you would recall, the court is being established in two jurisdictions, both in original and appellate jurisdiction. Part of what is new for us, is to have a court which will decide upon and interpret elements of the Treaty of Shaguramus, so as to effectively allow for trade disputes and matters pertaining to the Caribbean Single Market and Economy once it becomes fully operational, to be settled. Equally, there are some of the countries, which will be exercising its option to have this court as its final court of appeal. Some of us now for example are linked to the judicial committee of the Privy Council, and to that extent, this will replace that judicial committee.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“A big plus for the Caribbean over the Privy Council you think?”

Mia Mottley

“Well, we genuinely believe that the establishment of the C.C.J. is critical, because as you know, the judiciary is one of the three elements of government in our system of government. And to the extent that it now resides outside of the jurisdiction, it does not allow for the full and collective aspirations of Caribbean people to be reflected in the decisions given by the bench.”

The book is edited by Duke Pollard, Sheldon McDonald and Rose Blenman of the CARICOM Secretariat.