New law year opens today

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) will begin the New Law Year today, January 12 2024, with its traditional ceremonial opening proceedings in Grenada.

This year’s theme, “Innovation and Justice Reform – The ECSC Looking to the Future,” reflects the court’s forward-thinking vision.

The opening will mark the first Court of Appeal sitting for 2024 and ceremonies will begin with church services across the member states and territories, followed by a procession to the High Court.

In the Virgin Islands, the service will be held at the Apostolic Faith Church in Road Town, starting at 8am. The congregation will then proceed to the Civil Court Room on the fourth floor of the Sakal Building for a special sitting, scheduled to begin at 10 am.

Continuing the practice established over the past three years, there will be a single special sitting for all nine member states and territories.

Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Dame Janice Pereira will deliver the keynote address from Grenada, with other speakers from different member states and territories joining her.

The event will be broadcast live to all member states and territories through various platforms, including the Grenada Information Services media, the court’s website and Facebook page, and the Government Information Services’ websites and social media pages in each member state and territory, as well as UWITV.

The public is invited to participate in this auspicious start to the law year 2024 by attending the church services, the special sitting, or by tuning in through the available media channels.

Established in 1967 under the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court Order No. 223 of 1967, the ECSC serves as a superior court of record for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

It encompasses six independent states — Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It also encompasses three British Overseas Territories, namely Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat.

The court possesses unlimited jurisdiction in each member state.