GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC:LAST WEEK'S Privy Council ruling that legislation to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica's final appellate court is unconstitutional, will be the main topic of discussion when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Legal Affairs Committee (LAC) meets in Suriname this week.
A CARICOM statement said the ruling has the potential for "profound adverse effects" on the establishment of the CCJ and the effective implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The meeting of the LAC, which comprises the region's attorneys-general and ministers for legal affairs and national security, comes ahead of the 16th intersessional CARICOM meeting and will be chaired by Suriname's Justice Minister Siegfried Gilds.
CSME TALKS
Apart from the Privy Council ruling, discussions are expected to focus on legal synergy among member-states, with specific regard to the free movement of skilled nationals, which is a major pillar of the CSME.
"The meeting is also slated to receive several reports, including the deferral of the CCJ inauguration, and a submission by the working group assigned to examine the reform of legal education in the community," a CARICOM statement said.
The February 9-11 meeting will also address issues of justice and security in the region, as CARICOM forges ahead with a security plan to combat cross-border and other criminal activities.
"This is against the backdrop of reports on the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the implementation of a Regional Justice Protection Programme," the statement said.
