CCJ holds hearing in Guyana

Jun 22, 2023 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

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Kaieteur News – For the second time since 2014, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday commenced its second itinerant sitting in Guyana.

The CCJ is Guyana’s final appellate court, which settles disputes in both civil and criminal appeals. The two-day hearing of the CCJ is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) located at Liliendaal, Georgetown.

In his address, the President of the CCJ, Justice, Adrian Saunders highlighted that this sitting marks the first in-person hearing of the CCJ for quite some time. He explained that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCJ was in the habit of making liberal use of the court’s technology in order to facilitate virtual court hearings. “Over the next few days, we will deliver judgment in criminal appeals from Guyana and hear cases in both the original and the appellate jurisdiction of the court,” he added.

Justice Saunders highlighted that Guyana was the first country to repose full trust and confidence in the CCJ. “When Guyana acceded to the court’s appellate jurisdiction from day one of the court’s existence. It is only fitting therefore that we should take every opportunity that we can to reiterate and demonstrate our commitment to provide accessible, fair and efficient justice not just for the people of Guyana, but also for the people and states of the Caribbean community,” the CCJ President added.

Justice Saunders also stated that over the next week, the CCJ will embark on a variety of programmes aimed at increasing public awareness of the role of the CCJ, its methods of work and also about the place of the court in the operations of the CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME).

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) held its first two sessions in Guyana yesterday.

In particular, he said the court will embark on an extended programme that will include activities to advance an ongoing project that has been developed with the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and the funding of the European Development Fund.

According to the President of the CCJ, this project aims specifically to Guyana, to sensitise the judiciary, the Bar Association, and other stakeholders, about CSME and the role of the court and national courts and tribunals within that CSME regime.

Moreover, Justice Saunders explained that, “For the judiciary and the bar for example, we will facilitate sessions to address the referral process on the Article 214 of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, a facility that has been severely under utilised to date. We will also arrange, engage with civil society and the public, including the session with students of the University of Guyana (UG)…over the next week, we have scheduled a compact and robust schedule and we very much look forward to the neutral exchanges and learnings that will no doubt ensue from all of these interactions, as we discuss matters concerning the administration of justice, and how we can serve the people of Guyana and the community with excellence.”

He also expressed his gratitude for the hospitable welcome himself and other justices received since they arrived in Guyana.

For her part, the acting Chief Justice reminded the audience of the work of the CCJ, adding, “We look forward to stimulating engagements with the CCJ judges during this visit.” Additionally, the first itinerate sitting in Guyana was done in February 2014. That sitting had also marked the retirement of former CCJ Judge Honourable Justice Desiree Bernard, a Guyanese.

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Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Georgetown, Guyana, Liliendaal

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