Ceremony to mark Dominica’s ascension to CCJ set for Friday

CCJ logoThe ceremony to mark Dominica’s ascension to the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice is set for Friday, March 6, 2015.

The ceremony will begin from 10:00 am and will be held at the State House Conference Centre.

President of Dominica H.E. Charles A Savarin, Prime Minister the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice the Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron and other local and regional dignitaries and officials will be in attendance.

“The CCJ is an important instrument of integration and our own independence because we now have a court that has been designed by ourselves, managed by ourselves and, of course, indicating to the world that we are mature enough to handle our affairs in every facet of our development,” Prime Minister Skerrit has stated.

Prime Minister Skerrit described the passage of the bill (to amend the Constitution to facilitate the establishment of the CCJ as the Final Court of Appeal in Dominica) as a historic day for Dominica.

Prime Minister Skerrit said that Dominicans will have greater and much easier access to justice.

“We must appreciate that this will allow for, in our mind and based on the record so far of cases that have come before the Caribbean Court of Justice that it will allow for more of our citizens to gain access to all the levels of the judiciary system in the region. So we are very pleased that the Parliament has been able to pass this; we look forward to our citizens taking advantage of it so that they can feel that the full process of the justice system,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.

The ceremony to mark Dominica’s ascension to the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice will be broadcast LIVE via radio, television and internet streaming both locally and regionally.

Dominica is the fourth country following Guyana, Barbados and Belize to recognize the court in its appellate jurisdiction.

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16 Comments

  1. Wanderer
    March 6, 2015

    A historic day.

  2. Harry Mack
    March 4, 2015

    If St. Kitts had accepted the CCJ, Denzel Douglas would still be Prime Minister, but thanks to the Privy Council, they intervened decisively and we see the results. Now Denzel Douglas had the audacity to say that he lost the election because of sabotage.
    Why is Dominica in the forefront with the CCJ? Justice for sale. I never thought that I would live to see the day that I would prefer a Colonial institution over a Caribbean one, but unfortunately I do.

  3. Truth and Knowledge
    March 4, 2015

    Are these contributors really as moronic as they appear from these and their general contributions to discussions on this site? It is quite disturbing that this number of people so aptly demonstrate the late Prime Minister Pierre Charles’ lament that too many Dominicans wear their ignorance as a badge of Honour!

    Mr. Telemacque, your rant betrays your lack of knowledge of what you are purporting to spout on about. You are factually inaccurate in virtually every aspect of your rant! Incidentally, you have chosen to live under perhaps the most political court of all, the US Supreme Court.

    Finally, to those unable to contain their verbal diarrhea who insist upon parroting that Dominicans were not asked whether they wished to become part of the CCJ, when exactly is it that DOminicans were asked whether or not they wished to be part of the Privy Council?

    Get real people, let’s stop the destructive self-loathing and perpetuation of that burdensome inferiority complex. Stand tall…

  4. Free and Fair
    March 4, 2015

    The peope of Dominica have not agreed to accept CCJ as their final court of appeal. Skerrit did. So, the majority of Dominicans won’t be celebrating. Pity!

    • joe
      March 4, 2015

      Well I am Dominican living on island and am for it so what’s your point?

      • Titiwi
        March 5, 2015

        No surprises then Joe, you being part of the self serving Roosevelt Skerrit clique.

  5. Francisco Telemaque
    March 4, 2015

    One should worry about those who are appointed as judges on the court, especially if people such as Skerrit has any say as to who gets appointed!

    It will be politics as usual; Judges, magistrates, and even lawyers, and police are easily bought, in the Caribbean; we are dealing with a bunch of people who has no morals, or integrity. They say every man has his price, it does not take very much to buy people in high places in the Caribbean. The appointees are expected to remain loyal to the politicians who has the power to decide who gets appointed or not.

    We had a situation where a highly learned Dominica member of the judiciary was refused a position in a high court, simply because a corrupt St. Vincent politician in the person of Ralph Gonzales refused to endorsed his appointment. We can look forward to seeing Layers influencing judges to rule in their favor.

    • winston warrington
      March 5, 2015

      For your information, that highly learned Dominican was born in St Vincent of Dominican parents. He was a minister in the Freedom Party government of Eugenia Charles, who, as a member of the same profession, found levity in questioning his legal skills. She refused to recommend him also. There will always be political ramifications in such appointments and one must not assume that it is any different in the US or Great Britain. Laws are made for the protection of the rich, so those in power elect ones who will do their bidding.

  6. J John-Charles
    March 4, 2015

    Mr Tony Astaphan was first against it before he was for it.We can remember him on DBS radio before the advent of the DLP into office, criticizing the very idea of the CCJ. He said”there will always be political interference”he went on by saying “There is no need for it, because we already have eminent jurist from the Caribbean who sits on the privy counsel.”Mr Astaphan mentioned a gentleman from Guyana a former government minister who also became secretary- general of the commonwealth.His last name is Ramphal or Ramfell.The spelling is wrong,but I am thanking DNO in advance, because they will put his full name and spell it correctly.

  7. TRUTHMAN
    March 4, 2015

    that same CCJ that have to lock them up.

  8. Referee
    March 4, 2015

    Those who pushed for the adoption of the CCJ must be in a celebratory mood, and no one should be feeling more victorious than the person who defines the justice system in this commonwealth:Tony Astaphan.
    It is no exxageration to posit that Mr. Astaphan’s enormous influence on the court will be no less than in the past and this is a deliberate understatement.
    Lovers of democracy and equal access to justice now have more reasons to squirm considering that Mr. Astaphan, with the Privy Council out of the way, will be truly free to peddle his influence on a court that will permit the old boys network to work its majic, much to the detriment of a significant portion of the population,.
    I have long argued that the political culture in the Caribbean is not yet ripe to accept the responsibility that the CCJ has thrust upon them. The judiciary is much too comfortable with protecting and defending the status quo and have not yet understood their responsibility to be be fearless arbiter ..

    • Nac Vibes
      March 4, 2015

      Give that Man or Woman a Cigar!!!!!

  9. Zandoli
    March 4, 2015

    More smoke and mirrors. Another excuse to waste precious dollars on food and drink.

  10. Ma Moses
    March 4, 2015

    A very sad, sad day for my beloved country to take such a backward step. The people were not consulted. Those who oppose this move should fly the flag at half mast on friday.

    • Observer
      March 4, 2015

      I agree! See how many workers will accede to your request. I suspect you will not even remember what you asked for. the UWP is in support of the CCJ as Dominica’s final appellate court. The UWP is gainst Dominica acceding to the CCJ

  11. Nac Vibes
    March 4, 2015

    And now for the thieves charter.

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