Member States and territories of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) gathered in Grenada and via online mediums to mark the opening of the 2024 Law Year with a special sitting.

The sitting held on January 12 also saw the final address delivered by retiring Chief Justice Janice Pereira, a Virgin Islander.

In the Virgin Islands, the opening of the year was marked by a special church service at the Apostolic Faith Church in Road Town and a special sitting in the Civil Court Room on Tortola.

Chief Justice Pereira while introducing this year’s theme, “Innovation and Justice Reform – The ECSC Looking to the Future” said innovation and reform make up the mortar that connects and binds the building blocks of the justice system.

Honourable Pereira stated that the court has made significant strides over the years in the area of digitisation, aiming to ensure heightened efficiency and effectiveness of the region’s justice system.

“The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has always been committed to exploring and adopting innovations that elevate its effectiveness within the wider justice system,” she said.

The Chief Justice added that the Supreme Court has been working to increase its use of technology. She reported that from 2018 to present, the court has been working to transform its filing and case management systems through its E-Litigation Portal (ELP).

Chief Justice Pereira also said that there is a reduction in delays since moving from a paper-based system and an increase in clearance rates and that through the continuous technologicaladvancements within the ECSC. She added that all member states and territories now have easier access to case files, promoting the smoother operation of the court.

Attorney General of Grenada and Minister for Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs, Senator the Honourable Claudette Joseph said, “As the court sits on this extraordinary occasion, the theme chosen, Innovation and Justice Reform – The ECSC Looking to the Future, is indeed apt, and in a sense, speaks directly to the tenure of Chief Justice Pereira, as head and leader of the judiciary in the Eastern Caribbean.”

As others addressed the gathering, many expressed their well wishes for the Chief Justice who is the first female Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, as well as the first female Virgin Islander to hold the office. The Honourable Chief Justice was born on Virgin Gorda.

The mission of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is “To serve its Member States by providing access to a system of justice that is accountable and independent, and administered by officers in a prompt, fair, efficient and effective manner.”