Caribbean nations move forward on regional joint investigation teams framework following Barbados forum

The creation of a regional framework for Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) is on the docket for Caribbean countries after the conclusion of a two-day legal forum held in Barbados, with the individual territories committing to take steps towards its fruition.

A press release shared that the meeting, organised by the Office of the Attorney General of Barbados with sponsorship from the Inter-American Development Bank and the Regional Security System (RSS), focused on improving regional cooperation in cross-border financial investigations and asset recovery efforts.

According to Director of Strategic Services and International Affairs at the RSS, Rhea Reid-Bowen, participating states agreed on several important steps to advance the initiative.

“At the conclusion of the Legal Forum, there was a firm commitment from countries to advance the concept of Joint Investigation Teams in the Caribbean. It was agreed that the Model Framework agreement would be completed and forwarded to Attorneys General for review. Recommendations suggested that Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) would significantly benefit the Caribbean region and should be adapted from the Eurojust model to suit regional legal systems and operational realities. Furthermore, it was recommended that a pilot JIT involving at least two jurisdictions be established in the coming months,” Mrs. Reid-Bowen stated.

Reportedly, discussions during the forum also addressed some of the legal and operational obstacles that could arise when implementing the framework. Reid-Bowen noted that variations in legislation among Caribbean countries may create challenges for cross-border investigations and asset recovery, but said these issues can be managed through collaboration and clear agreements.

“The operationalisation of a JITs mechanism requires participating countries to agree on criteria for evidence admissibility, disclosure of information and the terms and conditions under which foreign LEAs participating in the JIT, will be deployed in the respective territories throughout the Caribbean. The model framework agreement must therefore incorporate standards that are flexible or broad enough to guide competent authorities in crafting a suitable agreement governing their specific JITs that would be established in the future,” Mrs. Reid-Bowen explained.

The release said that she further highlighted that a regional JIT structure could greatly strengthen the efficiency and coordination of criminal investigations throughout the Caribbean. Participants at the forum agreed that the Concept Paper on JITs should be taken to national Cabinets for approval and also shared with regional bodies, including the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement, in an effort to build wider political backing across the region.

“A regional JIT framework would improve cooperation by allowing competent authorities to gather and exchange evidence directly without relying on traditional mutual legal assistance processes. It would also enhance intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and collaboration among prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions. Additionally, the framework would provide standardised procedures and agreements tailored to Caribbean legal systems, thereby reducing conflicts between parallel investigations,” the RSS official opined.

Looking ahead, Reid-Bowen said the RSS intends to pursue possible partnerships with Eurojust and EL PACTO to further support investigations involving Caribbean, European, and Latin American territories.