The 2016 - 2017 Law Year of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) will commence on Tuesday, September 20.

It will be marked with a ceremonial opening in the form of simultaneous special sittings in all nine Member States and Territories of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

The proceedings in the Territory of the Virgin Islands will commence with a Church Service at the First Assembly of God Church at 8:00 a.m. followed by a procession of the Judiciary, Magistracy and Bar Association Members.

The procession begins at the church and will pass the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds to culminate with a Guard of Honour on parade at the High Court. The procession will also include officers of Her Majesty’s Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and Her Majesty’s Prison. 

The Guard of Honour will be inspected by His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John S. Duncan, OBE and His Lordship the Honourable Mr. Justice Barry Leon, Resident Commercial Court Judge.

The Special Sitting of the Court will follow immediately in the High Court. The feature address will be given by Her Ladyship the Honourable Chief Justice, Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE and will be broadcast live from St. Lucia to the other Member States and Territories of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at 10:30 a.m. to be streamed live on: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbATa2SKbyhOFuyreS1SUQ/live

The Chief Justice is the head of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court which is comprised of the High Courts in the nine Member States and Territories and the Court of Appeal.

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”.