The first President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Right Honorable Justice Michael de la Bastide of Trinidad and Tobago will be sworn in on Wednesday, 18 August.
President of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. George Maxwell Richards will administer the Oath of Office before a gathering expected to include Prime Minister of Grenada and CARICOM Chairman, Dr. the Honorable Keith Mitchell; CARICOM Secretary General, Mr. Edwin Carrington; and Commissioners of the Regional Judiciary and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC).
Justice de la Bastide holds a first class Bachelors Degree in Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Civil Law Degree from the Christ Church Oxford University, London. In 1961 he was admitted to the London Gray's Inn Bar and has held several portfolios in the legal fraternity. These include Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago and Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
The CCJ President also served as Independent Senator and senior partner of the de la Bastide and Jacelon Law firm. He was recently appointed to Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
At the 25th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Grand Anse, Grenada June last, CARICOM Heads collectively endorsed the recommendation of the RJLSC for Justice de la Bastide's appointment, which marks a significant step in the Region's move to establish the CCJ as the Caribbean's first indigenous court. The CCJ will be inaugurated in November of this year and its seat is Trinidad and Tobago.
In 1998, at their 19th Regular Meeting, CARICOM Leaders agreed on the establishment of a Caribbean Court to replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) and the Agreement establishing the CCJ entered into force in 2002.
In 2003, the Commissioners of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission were appointed, and the Board of Trustees, which will manage the CCJ Trust Fund inaugurated.
CARICOM Leaders consider the CCJ vital to the operation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and have remained steadfast in placing high priority on its establishment as a competent body of community law to resolve disputes that will arise under the revised Treaty establishing the CSME.
The Court will function in two jurisdictions – an original and an appellate. In its appellate jurisdiction, the Court will apply the laws of the Member States from which they are hearing appeals. In the exercise of its original jurisdiction, the CCJ will perform the role of an international Court, applying rules of international law in interpreting and applying the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Contact:
The Communication Unit
Tel : 592-226-9281-9 or 225-7758/227/4720
Email : carisec3@caricom.org or carisec4@caricom.org
