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Saint Lucia
Committed to the Caribbean Court of Justice
January 28, 2008 – Prime Minister Stephenson King has
been reacting to reports on his statement to the BBC on
Saint Lucia’s participation in the Caribbean Court of
Justice, the CCJ. In the recent interview Prime Minister
King said St. Lucia would not be rushing to fully
participating in the CCJ.
The Prime Minister in statement to the media dispelled
reports, which seem to suggest that Saint Lucia was not
interested in participating in the court. Mr. King says the
fact that the island has already signed on to the CCJ
agreement is indication enough of its dedication to the
court.
However, he says, the CCJ does not have a second
jurisdiction to the original jurisdiction of settling
disputes that may occur between member states of CARICOM,
guided under the CARICOM Treaty.
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He says the lack of that jurisdiction, which satisfies the
CCJ as the final court of appeal in respect to civil and
criminal matters, means these matters must still be referred
to the Privy Council.
The prime Minister says Saint Lucia is anxious to constitute
the CCJ as its final court of appeal; however, he says the
constitution of St. Lucia provides for certain procedures to
be followed, including parliamentary approval, before this
can happen.
He says his administration has already commenced discussions
on possible ways in which these requirements can be
addressed, so that the CCJ, in due course, can become Saint
Lucia’s final court of appeal.
