ST. LUCIA – St. Lucia’s 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.
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.
