CCJ for Jamaica

The incoming People’s National Party administration says it will be moving to have the Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, established in both the original and appellate jurisdictions in time for the nation’s 50th Independence on August 6. Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the former PNP administration, A.J. Nicholson, says he is confident that the Opposition will come on board to give both Houses of Parliament the required two thirds support needed to achieve this. Nicholson has expressed optimism on the apparent softening of JLP’s position on the matter in recent times. If the PNP is successful, the CCJ will replace the London-based Privy Council. The implementation of the CCJ as Jamaica’s final appellate court was an effort of the former P.J. Patterson led PNP administration, but was vehemently opposed by the Edward Seaga- led Jamaica Labour Party. To date only Barbados, Belize, and Guyana have replaced the Privy Council with the CCJ. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have failed to establish the CCJ as their final appellate court because of political disagreements in both countries. (Jamaica Gleaner)