Late last week, and again during this week, the focus of attention in the Caribbean region was on Anguilla. The weekend events of interest were Anguilla’s hosting of the 11th OECS Regional Law Conference which included such side activities as a Joint Symposium involving the Judicial Education Institute and the OECS Bar Association’s Biennial Meeting. Needless to say the conference attracted a number of legal luminaries from various parts of the Caribbean and further afield.
Further, Wednesday this week was the official opening of Law Year in the jurisdiction of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court which was transmitted from Anguilla via video simulcast to the eight other member territories for the second time, the first occasion having been in 2006. This week, also, the Court commenced hearings in its Appellate Jurisdiction with an all-women team of Justices of Appeal on the Bench. On Tuesday, the Court paused to admit two Senior Lawyers to the Inner Bar, having been appointed to the rank of Queen’s Counsel. It is also worth mentioning that only last month there was a huge Judicial Retreat in Anguilla which, like the OECS Bar Regional Law Conference, was held at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa.
Although its membership in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Jurisdiction makes it possible for Anguilla to share, on a rotating basis, in accommodating the institution’s varied events, it appears to many that our beautiful island is in fact a choice destination for legal retreats and a number of other legal events. This augurs well for us as an upmarket tourism destination and a welcome place, not only for their legal work but the personal relaxation and re-energising of our visiting esteemed Judges and Lawyers as well. Not to overlook, in anyway, the charming characteristics of the other jurisdictions, there have indeed been expressions of high appreciation from some of the most high-profile visiting jurists for the fine quality and level of accommodation, service and relaxation offered by Anguilla. It is incumbent on us, as a responsible and much-admired people, to preserve the peace and quiet and good name of our island.
Anybody acquainted with our modern history cannot but feel a sense of appreciation for how Anguilla has emerged as a popular destination for legal retreats, other legal events and, moreover, to be part of the present judicial system. The only time in our history when Anguillians displayed displeasure with the judiciary was during the Anguilla Revolution when anybody or anything having to do with the despised St Kitts Government of Robert Bradshaw was both an annoyance and an offender to Anguillians.
Don Mitchell, CBE, QC, a prolific writer and researcher, documented a part of that history in an article in his Published Papers entitled The Anguilla Courthouse. He wrote in part:
Associated Statehood brought with it the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court. It had a short life in Anguilla. Within two years Anguilla was in rebellion against its enforced marriage with St Kitts and Nevis. The Anguilla Revolution of 1967 was the first successful armed revolt in the British West Indies. The thirteen members of the St Kitts police force manning the police station were packed onto a LIAT airplane still dressed in their pyjamas. The St Kitts judge was jeered out of his courthouse and chased down the runway until he boarded a waiting flight to take him back to St Kitts.
The article continues: In 1971 the British Parliament passed the Anguilla Act which permitted Britain to separately administer that part of the Associated State of St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. Britain selected and paid for a Magistrate, a High Court Judge, and the three Judges of the Court of Appeal. These were rubber stamped by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission of the West Indies Associated States. Appeal lay to the Privy Council, and at least one appeal went all the way before Anguilla re-joined the West Indian Judicial family.
Mr Mitchell’s article also stated: By the year 1982, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, to give recognition to the demise of the Associated States and their replacement by independent Commonwealth Caribbean countries, had replaced the West Indies Associated Supreme Court throughout the region. The Anguilla Assembly passed the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Act, and re-entered the fold of the regional judiciary. From that time the Magistrates and Judges of Anguilla have been appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and not just been rubber stamped.
Since then, there has been a steady development of the judiciary in Anguilla and we have every right to claim, and to be proud of, our links with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Since then, also, Anguilla has evolved as an exciting destination for our visiting high-profile jurists to whom we extend a warm welcome to our shores.
