Jamaica House of Representatives to vote on CCJ Bills today

By Michelle Nurse Last updated May 12, 2015

THE House of Representatives is expected to vote today on three Bills seeking to delink Jamaica from the Privy Council in London, and replace it with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final appellate court.

The Bills to be debated are:

An Act to Amend the Judicature (Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, which seeks to amend the Judicature (Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, to repeal provisions for appeals to the Privy Council, and exclude any appeals to the Privy Council instituted prior to implementation of the CCJ;

An Act to Amend the Constitution of Jamaica, to amend section 110 of the Constitution to repeal provisions relating to appeals to the Privy Council and replace them with provisions establishing the CCJ as Jamaica’s final court; and

An Act to make provisions for the implementation of the agreement establishing the CCJ, as both a court of original jurisdiction to determine cases involving the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and International treaties, as well as a superior court of record with appellate jurisdiction.[su_box title=”CCJ Mission” style=”soft” box_color=”#54c0f0″]The Caribbean Court of Justice shall perform to the highest standards as the supreme judicial organ in the Caribbean Community. In its original jurisdiction, it ensures uniform interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, thereby underpinning and advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. As the final court of appeal for Member States of the Caribbean Community, it fosters the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence. [/su_box]