The planned inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) later this year moved one step closer with CARICOM Heads of Government signing four instruments relating to the establishment and operation of the court.
The instruments signed on Thursday 4th July 2003 by the CARICOM Heads at their 24th regular meeting in Montego Bay Jamaica are: Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Protocol to the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice; The Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice Trust Fund and Vesting Deed of the Caribbean Court of Justice Trust Fund.
The signing of the CCJ related instruments was greeted with much enthusiasm by delegates at the meeting and witnessed by representatives of Caribbean and International media.
The chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Percival J Patterson underscored the importance of the CCJ. In his address at the opening ceremony in Montego Bay on Wednesday 2nd July the Prime Minister said, “The people of the Caribbean have invested their trust in us. They are now demanding a dividend from the edifice of integration- CARICOM-tangible results, which improves their well-being.”
He added, “The Caribbean Court of Justice can no longer be delayed. A sense of self respect, if nothing else, dictates that we can no longer continue to put our judicial sovereignty in perpetuity on the coat-tail of an external body.”
Even though mooted for decades, more definitive steps towards the establishment of the CCJ intensified in 1999 when CARICOM Heads of Government mandated the setting up of the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (PREPCOM). This body was charged with supervising the arrangements required for the establishment of the court.
