The new Law Year, 2012-2013, commenced in the nine jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, including the Anguilla Circuit, on Tuesday, September 18.
Just before commencing the sitting in Anguilla, Acting High Court Judge, Madam Justice Cheryl Mathurin, inspected a Guard of Honour comprising a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force – drawn up outside the Court House – as well as the Police Community Band.
The main activity in all the jurisdictions was an address by Acting Chief Justice, Janice Pereira, in a simulcast fromSt. Vincent and the Grenadines, opening the Law Year.
Prior to that, however, Justice Mathurin was welcomed toAnguillaby members of the public and private Bars led by Attorney General, James Wood. He also congratulated the Acting Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Pereira, on her appointment. “I believe it is the first time, not only that a female judge has been so appointed, but also that an attorney from one of our sisterOverseasTerritorieshas risen to this high office,” he stated.
Vice President of the Anguilla Bar Association, Mrs. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, in welcoming Justice Mathurin, pledged the full support of the Bar to the Acting Judge. “While the role of judge will be new to you, the sense of justice, fair play and fairness is not, by any stretch of the imagination new to you,” she told Justice Mathurin.
Meanwhile, she gave some useful advice to her colleagues. Among other matters, noting the stresses of the island’s economic situation, Mrs.Gumbs-Connor advised them to be patient and understanding when providing services for their clients who “are fighting to live.” She urged them to use cost-effective ways, such as mediation, to alleviate any issues confronting the clients and to engage in other community work.
Attorney Joyce Kentish-Egan said Justice Mathurin had served the Court very well as a Master. “I have absolutely no doubt that you are equipped with all of the attributes necessary to dispense your charge which was so forcibly given to you by Rev. Niles to serve and do the bidding of justice.”
She joined in pledging to the Acting Judge “the support of a very willing, able and helpful Bar.”Mrs. Kentish-Egan added: “When we are seeing you coming to us as our Acting Judge, and Justice Pereira as our first female Chief Justice on the Bench, we know that new and exciting things are ahead of us…”
Attorney John Benjamin, who recently acted as a High Court Judge, congratulated Justice Mathurin on her appointment. “One of the things I hope that the Attorney General and the Government would do is to improve the conditions of work for judges,” he said. “It is not a difficult task, and it is not a comfortable one either…and the salary is not big enough…but I know you will do well and I wish you well.”
Attorney Paulette Harrigan also joined in congratulating Justice Mathurin. “We look forward to working with you in your new role as Judge in Anguilla, and working towards establishing and ensuring that we have justice prevailing inAnguilla,” she told the Acting Judge.
Replying, Justice Mathurin recalled that she had been to the Anguilla Circuit of the Supreme Court several times over the years. She was grateful for the expressions of welcome – and good wishes extended to her at this time of her appointment as Acting Judge.
Following the welcome of Justice Mathurin, was the simulcast address to the nine jurisdictions by Acting Chief Justice, Janice Pereira. The theme of her address was: “Improving Efficiency and Integrity in the Administration of Justice in Times of Economic Adversity.” She said in part:
“We are currently living in extremely difficult economic times where sustainability demands that businesses responsibly manage limited resources and still remain productive. It is no different for us in the judiciary. The impact of the economic downturn is being felt in all ourMemberStatesand Territories and no less so on the judiciary.
“The case load of courts has continued to increase steadily which, in turn, has led to increased administrative costs in the face of shrinking budgets and decreased contributions. However, the Judiciary of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, although faced with resultant challenges – one of which is the absence of the optimum quota of judges – will continue to maintain its efficiency with the available resources.
“I wish to emphasise that the quality of justice will not be compromised, not even in these harsh and difficult economic times. With that commitment, the Judiciary has embarked on several initiatives to help improve efficiency in the face of the world-wide economic adversity which has impacted ourMemberStatesand Territories.”
The Acting Chief Justice stated that efficiency and integrity were ingrained in the mission and vision statements of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. She said that those statements were: “To serve its Member States by providing access to a system of justice that is accountable and independent…in a prompt, fair, efficient and effective manner.” Inherent in “access to justice” is the “guarantee that each citizen is able to acquire the necessary knowledge, understanding, awareness and ability to exercise [his/her right to justice] through formal as well as informal institutions…”
The Acting Chief Justice’s address covered various subject areas including: public education/community outreach;the Halls of Justice Project; Integration of the Magistracy; Court Structures in the Criminal and Family Divisions; technology use and development in the court system; the Civil Procedure Rules; the Professionalisation of the Bar and other matters.
In her conclusion, and general notes of gratitude, Chief Justice Pereira said: “I wish to thank everyone present here today in the High Court of Justice in St. Vincent & the Grenadines; and everyone else, wherever you may be, for taking time off from your busy schedule to attend or listen as we celebrate the opening of this new Law Year 2012-2013.”
