ECSC was ‘busy as ever’ despite COVID-19– Chief Justice

Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) Her Worship Dame Janice M. Pereira said despite the ongoing health pandemic, the ECSC had a busy 2021.

She said during her feature address to mark the ceremonial opening ceremony of the 2022 new law year today, Tuesday, January 11, 2022, that “in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the closing of borders, and national lockdowns, the court remained as busy as ever with a heavy caseload by continuing to provide the needed access to the justice system which was achieved mainly through virtual operations.”

324 decisions delivered

“As an example at the appellate level there were 419 appeals filed in 2020, the court of appeal heard 351 appeals during four court sittings and a further 437 matters in chamber hearings.

"The Court of Appeal also delivered 66 written judgements and 258 oral decisions amounting to 324 decisions delivered in total,” she stated.

The Chief Justice said those figures are on par with the pre-pandemic data from 2019.

“A much more comprehensive report on the workings of the court at the high court and the magisterial court levels is contained in our annual report which will be available on the court’s website,” she said.

The actual ceremony was scheduled to be held in the Virgin Islands this year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was instead held online.

A brief church service was held at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Center with a handful of dignitaries from the legal profession as well as Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Julian Willock were among the attendees.