PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, today said regional countries should “complete their independence and sovereignty by claiming the rights to completely manage our judicial affairs”.
Addressing regional journalists at “an engagement meeting” here, Sir Dennis said he supports the views of the Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian, “Singing Sandra” who during the just concluded Carnival celebrations in her homeland, urged Port of Spain to become a full signatory to the court as the oil rich twin island republic celebrates 50 years of political independence.
The CCJ established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court of appeal, has both an original and appellate jurisdiction.
But while most of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are signatories to the original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana and Belize have signed on to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ that also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement.
Sir Dennis told the forum that he was not supportive of the view that the region is not ready for the CCJ noting that some of the arguments include “excessive delays in the judicial process and that we are yet to meaningfully improve our infrastructure in terms of …our administrative services.
“In my view there is something wrong with this logic. Assuming that there is a need to enhance the quality of justice administration….the CCJ is currently engaged in change in capacity development in a way that the Privy Council never has been and is not likely to be.
“I would think this is a further reason why the CCJ is necessary to improve…and truly develop Caribbean jurisprudence,” he added. (CMC)