Call made for modern family legislation

Pereira wants more family legislation on the law books
Pereira wants more family legislation on the law books

Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Dame Janice Pereira has again called on OECS member states to put high on their agenda the introduction of modern family legislation in the law books.

Addressing the opening of the new Law Year last week she said she made a similar call last year, but apparently some member states have not heeded the call.

“Last year I called for the enactment in every member state of modern family law legislation which will provide a foundation for a family division of the court with a more responsive approach to matters relating to family,” she noted. “Some states have heeded the call while others, it has been given less priority.”

Notwithstanding, Pereira said she is making the call again.

“I therefore take this opportunity to renew my call to other member states and territories which have not yet done so to place the family law reform legislation as a priority item on their legislative agenda,” she noted. “The men, women and children of our states deserve it.”

She pointed out that member states can construct edifices to attract tourist and other forms of investement, “but if our very social fabric is broken, then all will inevitably come to naught.”

Pereira pointed out that she is pleased that a Family Division Pilot project in Antigua and Barbuda has gained impetus.

She noted that an entire suite of the Modern Family Law Bill is being finalized on that island and is expected to go before parliament before the end of this year. She added that much progress has also been made in the drafting and review of rules which will govern the practice and procedure in family matters and wide consultation is expected on these rules over the next few months in an effort to have them finalized and adopted in this new Law Year.

Pereira said work is also expected to continue with the major stakeholders to address the policy related issues pertinent to the establishment of the family division project.

“This remains a high priority on the court’s agenda,” she pointed out.

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11 Comments

  1. The Real Facts
    September 22, 2015

    I have much more to state on this matter.

  2. The Real Facts
    September 21, 2015

    So what type of modern family is that? The family has always been modern.
    Jesus Christ is still the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever.
    Exactly what do you want to change in the family?
    I have an idea what she is driving at, wanting to modernize the family. They try to make it look dignified.
    You better live well alone and not mess it up. It is people as you, types of governments who cause terrible storms and other dilemmas throughout the world.
    Will marriage between a man and a woman, their procreation and discipline in the home be any different?
    You are not talking about decreasing crimes/murders and decreasing poverty but modernizing the family? Oh my! Some people can make a mess of society.
    I would like to know how this modernization will enhance the family life and make them godly happy people and able to cope with the cost of living for their livelihood. This is what you should strive for.
    I bet the UN is behind this. Be careful what type of modernization.

    • The Real Facts
      September 22, 2015

      :oops: “leave”

  3. September 21, 2015

    It’s not clear what she’s really calling for here. “Modern” means different things to different people.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      September 22, 2015

      Sometimes I get the feeling that the Administration of DNO protects certain people, I wrote a comment regarding this lady, and Skerrit belief in her, that seems to be down the toilet. But even this title of relief coordinator stands for nothing which Skerrit’s.

      So what is Dominica benefiting from Skerrit’s phantasy over this woman.she cannot help Dominica in any way, that woman is tainted She violated British law, that was in many British Newspapers, and on BBC also, there is nothing libelous, or slanderous to comment on something that has made the news internationally, and debated in the British parliament!

      Nothing can change the truth, though it can be distorted!

    • The Real Facts
      September 22, 2015

      She should be asked to explain herself. From our few comments, it is obvious some D/cans do not know.
      They come out with words which look dignified but are not.
      I reside in Canada and I hear a lot of that including the comments from the Catholic Media, TV and Global Catholic Radio affiliates – http://www.ewtn.com
      You think modern means different things to different people. I also think so but knowing why and what they are up to, what they are driving at is also to re-define marriage, making family life modernized to suit this present day era which they have created of marriage also between two men and two women and allowing them to adopt children, calling them a family – modernized. You want to bet this is the modernization they are thinking of? What else?
      I heard they may try to change the Bible. I am informing you, if this occurs, the Catholic Church – The Vatican of all, will not be silent on it including all Catholic hierarchy around the world and fervent members.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        September 23, 2015

        Facts, it very clear that the way people in Dominica understands English is totally different to the rest of the world. Nevertheless, modern means in simply terms “just now” If we wish to get sophisticated we may define modern to relate to the present, or the immediate past!

        Or, shall we say something involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas (in other words) one may conclude “up-to-date:” that is up to date; different from something old. The old cars, that any idiot could repair are no longer in existence hence the modern cars these days if you pull something apart, and you are not educated to the method of servicing the new, and modern cars, by the time you are finished, you may have to scrap that modern car.

        I have a problem like that right now, someone tried to service my steering column is an expensive I have he screwed it up , and for more than two months he has my car, and cannot fix it!

      • September 23, 2015

        “I heard they may try to change the Bible.”

        Really? From where?

      • Francisco Telemaque
        September 25, 2015

        “I heard they may try to change the Bible. I am informing you, if this occurs, the Catholic Church – The Vatican of all, will not be silent on it includes all Catholic hierarchy around the world and fervent members.”

        Facts, the catholic hierarchy has already condoned homosexuality! The one you call pope, has given his blessing by welcoming homosexual priests. Personally, I am not surprised because homosexuality has long accepted in Vatican, to a point where homosexual priest does not hide their orientation. They, holds open homosexual parties!

        As for corrupting the word of God your popes, and bishop and priests has already done that with false doctrines, like praying to saints, and rolling rosary beads. Burning incense, and praying to the mother of Jesus, whereas Jesus never told anyone to pray to his mother. Your roman doctrine has long corrupted the world!

    • Francisco Telemaque
      September 22, 2015

      Okay Steve ignore that response: Sorry my mistake, DNO did not protect her, I boy is simply at the wrong address oui! They did print my entire comment in its entirety!

      You know one day a Grenadian was drunken he borrowed seven hundred dollars from a Vincentian; he promised to repay the loan at a certain time.

      When the time came and past the St. Vincent boy went to collect, the Grenada boy, ask him what are you talking about man, the St. Vincent boy told him the time place and date he lent him the money. Mr. Grenada boy replied “sorry, you made a mistake, not at this address!”

      So you see I too is at the wrong address! Anyway that about the two West Indians is not a joke, the Grenada boy wife robbed me fifteen or seventeen dollars also, She is American.

    • The Real Facts
      September 24, 2015

      You noted where this is heading to. First they give you something in parables and then they lay it – the rest on you. You have noted the other article. They want gays and lesbians recognized in the Caribbean and to get married. This is the simple term.
      Then they want marriage re-defined and the family modernized, to include gays and lesbians and their adoption of children, calling them a family. This is the modernization of the family.
      The rights of normal people, husband and wife are taken away from them.
      I am surprised that you are not aware of that. If you listen to US news of all you would have known this.
      Shame on them and woe to them! These people are godless. Some will succumb to them because they are paid a certain amount by the UN.

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