Latest update February 19th, 2025 6:36 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

What’s up with the CCJ?

Jun 04, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
There are three pressing questions that must be asked of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ): Why has it not filled its two existing vacancies?
Why is its constitutional age limit of 70 years not being enforced? And why it has never had an East Indian Justice on the court?
Collectively, these three questions represent a worrying trend that may seriously undermine the credibility of the court if they are not addressed forthwith.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is the Caribbean regional judicial tribunal that was established on 14 February 2001. There were 10 initial members: Antigua & Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; Suriname; and Trinidad & Tobago. Two other member states, Dominica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, joined on 15 February 2003, bringing the total members to 12. he CCJ came into force on 23 July 2003, and the CCJ was inaugurated on 16 April 2005 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
Currently, two of the judicial nine seats are vacant. Why is this entity that purports to represent the CARICOM region unable to seat a full court?
Are these ongoing vacancies symptomatic of the low esteem the legal profession has for this body? It is worthwhile getting an answer as to what’s up with the CCJ.
Are the constitution age limits being ignored given the apparent inability to attract a full slate of judges?
My understanding is that there is an age limit of 70 and two of the current Justices, Michael de la Bastide at 74 and Desiree Bernard at 72, are now beyond that age. Is the highest court in the region ignoring its own rules? What’s up with the CCJ?
How come there has never been an East Indian Justice on the Court? Given the East Indian majority in population in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and the glorious legal heritage that east Indian have added to the profession via the Luckhoos, Persauds and Singhs it does beg the question why no East Indian? West Indies cricket has suffered from racial discrimination through its history which is in no small part responsible for the sport being on its death bed. Is its legal system doing the same? It would be nice to get an honest answer.
Vijay P. Kumar

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

National Table Tennis duo Shemar Britton, Chelsea Edghill to represent Guyana at prestigious Panam Table Tennis Cup

National Table Tennis duo Shemar Britton, Chelsea Edghill to...

Feb 18, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- National women’s Table Tennis champion Chelsea Edghill OLY and Guyana’s ace star table tennis player Shemar Britton are set to represent Guyana at the Prestigious 2025 Pan...
Read More
Athaleyha Hinckson Joins LSU

Athaleyha Hinckson Joins LSU

Feb 18, 2025

Paul Nixon Appointed Head Coach of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons for 2025 CPL Season

Paul Nixon Appointed Head Coach of Antigua and...

Feb 18, 2025

Aubrey Hutson open to fourth term as AAG President

Aubrey Hutson open to fourth term as AAG

Feb 18, 2025

Guyana U17s close out unbeaten group stage campaign in historic Concacaf qualifiers run

Guyana U17s close out unbeaten group stage...

Feb 18, 2025

Mashramani Basketball tournament ongoing in Berbice

Mashramani Basketball tournament ongoing in...

Feb 18, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]