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High number of cases in Appeal’s Court forces need for two courtrooms

- Multi-Purpose Sports Complex to be converted into additional courtroom for September Sitting
Guests and key persons at the opening ceremony of the OECS 10th Annual Law Fair on Scrub Island. From left to right: Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering; Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira; Justices of Appeal Mr Davidson Baptiste of the Commonwhealth of Dominica, Ms Louise Blenman of Guyana and Mr Mario Michel of St Lucia. Photo: VINO
Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering has announced that the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be transformed into an additional court room for the September Sitting of the Court of Appeal of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering has announced that the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be transformed into an additional court room for the September Sitting of the Court of Appeal of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
The Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be converted into an additional courtroom to accommodate the September Sitting of the Court of Appeal for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
The Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be converted into an additional courtroom to accommodate the September Sitting of the Court of Appeal for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
The Law Fair precedes the Special Sitting of the new law year of 2013-2014, which is to take place in the VI on Tuesday September 17, 2013. Photo: VINO
The Law Fair precedes the Special Sitting of the new law year of 2013-2014, which is to take place in the VI on Tuesday September 17, 2013. Photo: VINO
SCRUB ISLAND, VI – Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering has announced that the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex will be converted into an additional courtroom to accommodate the September Sitting of the Court of Appeal for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Virgin Islands.

This announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Bar Association’s 10th Annual Regional Law Fair at Scrub Island Resort this morning, September 13, 2013.

In the preliminary court list obtained by Virgin Islands News Online, it appears to be a packed agenda with over 40 cases before the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Supreme Court.

The cases before the Appeals Court range from criminal appeals for rape, drugs, and guns to civil matters of wrongful dismissal, business transactions, issues of violations of rights and unfair sentences.

According to Dr Pickering, the information on the magnitude of the Sitting was discussed with the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Dame Janice M. Pereira that the number of cases warranted two court room settings.

The September Sitting of the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court will run from September 16-20, 2013.

The Law Fair precedes the Special Sitting of the new law year of 2013-2014, which is to take place in the VI on Tuesday September 17, 2013.

In his address to the gathering of law minds from across the Caribbean region, Dr Pickering stressed the significance of the three-day Law Fair being held in the Virgin Islands. This year marks the second time that it is being held in the VI, the first being in 2005.

“This Fair is important as the OECS continues to find strategic ways of working together and at the same time adapt to change. This is indeed a forum of us to interact and create enormous opportunities for teamwork,” said Dr Pickering.

Participants were challenged to make use of the opportunities provided by the fair to promote the spirit of legal cohesion. “Let us as an OECS family continue to cooperate on many issues that are affecting our way forward. Instead of each jurisdiction having its own initiatives, let us combine efforts and build an even stronger, unified legal organization,” Dr Pickering urged.

He added that during the previous law year Chief Justice Pereira had impressed upon him the importance of taking a combined approach that would lead to a unified collaboration in carrying out the rule of law and safeguard the fundamental rights of the people of the respective jurisdictions.

13 Responses to “High number of cases in Appeal’s Court forces need for two courtrooms”

  • Ah saw (13/09/2013, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank God for that multipurpose building for many reasons. Every country should invest in one. More ssports tourism needs to be housed there to create revenue.
  • local tourist (13/09/2013, 15:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It appears our government and tourism dont want sport tourism.
    Our tourism department can easily take the lead in sorting sports tourism.
    Its one of the easiest market to tap into.
    But its obvious a problem getting them to fighure it out. They will easier
    goin india instead.

  • denise (13/09/2013, 15:40) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    another thing build by the VIP
  • Novision (13/09/2013, 15:54) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    Is there any reason why the Virgin Islands which had so much money is without a proper courtroom to accomodate the growing number of cases. When you go in some of the other Caribbean countries who we are always calling down, they have modern courtrooms. You mean to say you have to bring back Lavity's spirit to say A Law Block would be built. Wake up, leaders of the Virgin Islands.
  • ooooo (13/09/2013, 16:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    i surprise them aint keep some over scrub
  • Hmm (13/09/2013, 18:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here where they gone to have this function...so many local business could have made that money. Typical NDP mentality. We the people ain't quality enough to get this type of business but we are quality enough to go vote for them so they can filt on us afterwards with these kinds of ongoing disrespectful actions.
  • Disgusted (13/09/2013, 19:04) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    I am not seeing any photos of the Minister who does nothing but like his pic taken…what happen he missed the boat because he was bluffing someone who wanted to see him?
    • @ Disgusted (13/09/2013, 23:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      he was busy fixing the mold and reviewing a speech from his speech writers
  • lil man (13/09/2013, 23:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    NOW TELL ME IF THEY COULD NOT HAVE THIS AT MARIA'S BY THE SEA GIVE THE LITTLE MAN AH EAT EH
  • Liat 521 (14/09/2013, 10:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    More court rooms less justice for the poor and lil man


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