ROSEAU, Dominica, March 06 2015 – Dominica Friday became the fourth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to replace the London-based Privy Council as their final court of appeal, replacing it with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
In a ceremony here, CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron said he hoped Dominica’s decision to join the Court that was established by regional governments in 2001, would serve as an impetus for other Caribbean countries to follow suit.
“This is really a momentous occasion, I want to congratulate Dominica,” Sir Dennis said, describing the occasion as “really tremendous” as the island “completes its circle of independence”.
Prominent Caribbean jurist Dr. Francs Alexis told the ceremony the Caribbean had produced several internationally recognised legal luminaries, who have served on the Privy Council and other international tribunals.
Dismissing arguments that the Caribbean was not yet ready to have its own final court, Alexis warned “if you can’t settle your disputes among yourselves it can’t happen.
“Some comparison may however be useful” he said, adding “I just want to say this, often when the Privy Council comes over as being progressive, often it is simply repeating what was said by a Caribbean judge at first instance, the Court of Appeal ”.
In his address Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said he hoped Dominica’s decision will serve to aid other regional countries “in their resolve to make the final step in their own independence arrangements and in the enrichment of a Caribbean civilisation.
“The ability of our people to have their matters and conflicts determined by our own judges who can appreciate their cultural traditions and the nuance of their language will in my view enhance the dispensation of Justice for our people,” he said, urging people that they should “never doubt how important this is in the determination of cases”.
Skerrit said that while laws would be made in Parliament, they are perfected through interpretation in the courts and that the CCJ represents improved access to justice within the scope and reality of the ordinary Dominican citizen.
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