Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Michael de la Bastide (centre), president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), speaks with Christine-Anne Morris-Alleyne (left), court executive administrator for the CCJ, and Adrian Saunders, CCJ judge, after a press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
PRESIDENT OF the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Michael de la Bastide, says plans are still underway to equip the court with technical and human resources, despite its snubbing by several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.
Addressing journalists yesterday at a press conference at Jamaica House, the CCJ president, who is visiting Jamaica with several CCJ justices and administrators, said he expected a flow of cases before that court when the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is enforced next year.
"How heavy that flow will be or when it will come, is a matter we cannot either control or predict," Mr. de la Bastide said. "But the court is ready to deal with whatever comes its way within the ambit of either jurisdiction."
He added: "We have also been busy getting ourselves ready to operate efficiently as a modern court which is user-friendly and which utilises all the technology now available."
MEETING WITH LOCAL INTEREST GROUPS
Mr. de la Bastide and other CCJ judges and administrative staff members are
meeting with local interest groups to discuss the CCJ's importance.
The CCJ president and his team met yesterday with Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, and noted that the meeting was cordial.
The CCJ president and staff members were scheduled to meet with members of the Jamaican Bar Association last night.
They are also expected to meet today with trade union leaders before their departure tomorrow.
Jamaica has only signed on to the CCJ in its original jurisdiction.
Only Barbados and Guyana are participating in the CCJ in its appellate jurisdiction, while all CARICOM countries are participating in the CCJ in its original jurisdiction. Barbados has already filed two matters before the CCJ's appellate division.
Earlier this year, the Privy Council in a landmark ruling, stated that companion bills piloted in the Senate, establishing the CCJ in its appellate jurisdiction, were unconstitutional.
