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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 28, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), Her Ladyship Dame Janice Pereira, DBE, LL. D, has publicly acknowledged the continued support of the Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris-led Team Unity administration for the Judiciary.

“The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has always enjoyed great support from the Government and people of St. Kitts in its training programmes, as well as for court reform initiatives,” the Honourable Chief Justice said. 

Her Ladyship Dame Pereira was at the time delivering remarks at the opening ceremony for the Judicial Education Institute’s annual Judicial Conference 2019 and the Magistrates’ Conference 2019 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort earlier today (Tuesday, May 28).

The ECSC Chief Justice made special mention of the support given by Prime Minister Harris and the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, who she said continue to make concerted efforts to attend and participate in the various court reform initiatives and conferences.

“I think that it demonstrates their commitment to the courts and their support for the working programmes being undertaken by the courts as we continue our efforts in building our capacity, our sensitivity, resilience, efficiency and fairness in the administration of justice,” Her Honour Dame Pereira stated.

Since assuming office in 2015, the Team Unity administration has put measures in place to improve the efficiency of the Judiciary in St. Kitts and Nevis. This includes the March 2017 opening of a second High Court Chamber at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex in Basseterre that has since helped with reducing the backlog of cases, particularly criminal matters. Nevis-born the Honourable Justice Pearletta Lanns was appointed as resident Judge for that court.

Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron, also revealed in March of this year that plans are being made to expand the services at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Complex with the construction of an annex that would house a third magistrate’s court chamber and a mediation centre dedicated to criminal and family matters.