St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be represented at the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of justice by a delegation comprising Sir Vincent Beache, Minister of National Security and the Public Service and a battery of legal luminaries. {{more}}

This grouping includes several Queen’s Counsel: Parnell R. Campbell, Carlyle Dougan, Bertram Commissiong; Nicole Sylvester, President of the Bar Association, Justice Louise Blenman and Acting Director of Public Prosecution Colin Williams. The other Vincentian attending in an official capacity is Othniel Sylvester Q.C who is a member of the Judicial Commission of the CCJ.

With the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Saturday, April 16, 2005 nationals of 13 countries will have access to an institution that will enforce their rights granted under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Participating countries are Antigua / Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts / Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Inauguration Ceremony takes place at Queens Hall, Port of Spain at 9:30 am, followed by a Gala Reception at President’s House at 7 p.m. The Inauguration Ceremony will be carried live on radio and television in at least 10 countries.

The CCJ Administrative Officer Master Christie-anne Morris-Alleyne said the Court will operate in its “original jurisdiction” as the tribunal for determining disputes arising from the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). It will also deal with matters on the CSME referred to it by the national courts of participating countries and as the final Court of Appeal for Barbados and Guyana.

She said nationals of the 13 countries would be able to take advantage of the free movement of skills and free movement of capital among other benefits of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

With free movement of skills, qualified nationals will be able to work in any of the 13 countries and with free movement of capital those nationals will be able to purchase property.

Almost 700 guests including Heads of State, Heads of Government, Chief Justices, CCJ judges, government ministers and Leaders of the Opposition are expected to attend the inauguration.