ECSC ‘Halls of Justice’ project moving apace – Chief Justice

Dominica, like its sister Eastern Caribbean states, will soon have new court buildings under the Halls of Justice project.

Chief Justice Hugh Rawlins of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) said the court is endeavoring to have state-of-the-art courts constructed in each country within its jurisdiction.

Speaking via simulcast this morning, Justice Rawlins said it is anticipated that during the coming law year the project will move into the final three stages. These include the final designing and costing phase, followed by the tendering then construction phases.

Rawlins said the protocols for coordinating the feasibility study is finalized and the studies have commenced. This aspect of the project is financed by grant funds from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

“We’ve established national working committees in each country. The project implementation unit was established,” Chief Justice Rawlins said.

Kevin Magill, a Canadian architect, will direct the project. He joined the project in April of this year.

Chief Justice Rawlins said the ECSC is at an advance stage of engaging the consultants, who will conduct the feasibility studies and prepare the preliminary designs and costs for the construction of the “Halls of Justice.” He said the project coordinators are working assiduously to ensure that the project progresses on the allotted time-line.

“We have visited with each country, met with the national working committees, and reviewed and identified proposed sites,” he said.