The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will hold itinerant sittings in St Lucia next week, the first time the regional court has taken its proceedings outside its seat in Trinidad and Tobago, as it marks the opening of its 2026/2027 Judicial Year.
The court announced the move in a press release, confirming that it will convene in the neighbouring Eastern Caribbean state for the special sitting. The CCJ, which serves as both the region's final appellate court for member states that have adopted it and as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, has until now conducted its hearings from Port of Spain.
The decision to sit in St Lucia reflects a broader effort by the court to bring its work closer to the people of the Caribbean Community. By holding proceedings outside its headquarters, the CCJ aims to increase public awareness of its role and to demonstrate that justice is accessible across the region, not only at its central seat.
For Dominica and other member states, the itinerant sittings carry particular significance. The court's appellate jurisdiction remains a subject of debate in several countries, and visible outreach of this kind may help citizens better understand how the CCJ functions and what it means for their legal systems. The move also underscores the court's commitment to transparency and to engaging with the communities it serves.
St Lucia, like Dominica, is a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Caribbean Community. Hosting the CCJ's first itinerant sitting places the island at the centre of regional legal affairs for the week, drawing attention from across the Caribbean.
The CCJ has not yet released the full agenda for the St Lucia sittings, but the event is expected to include ceremonial elements tied to the opening of the judicial year, alongside the court's regular business. Further details are to be made available as the date approaches.
The court's decision to travel comes as it continues to build its jurisprudence and public profile. For small island states, the presence of the region's highest court on the ground offers a tangible reminder of the shared legal framework that binds CARICOM members together.
Dominicans with an interest in regional justice will be watching the St Lucia sittings closely, as the CCJ's development affects the entire Caribbean Community. The court has indicated that the itinerant model may be repeated in other member states in future judicial years.
2
