Chief Justice Hon Dame Janice M. Pereira has delivered what she said was her final speech at the Special Sitting to Commemorate the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Opening of the Law Year 2024. Photo: ECSC/Facebook

The Special Sitting to Commemorate the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Opening of the Law Year 2024 was held in Grenada on January 12, 2024. Photo: Facebook

The Special Sitting for the New Law Year 2024 was broadcast Live from the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort on Friday, January 12, 2024, under the theme, “Innovation & justice reform, looking to the future.”

“It is with no less humility, pleasure, or honour than I had on each of those occasions that I address you now for the ceremonial opening of the Law Year 2024, my final address to you as your Chief Justice,” she said.

Hon Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, of the [British] Virgin Islands, was sworn in as the first female Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on October 24, 2012. She joined the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as a High Court Judge in 2003 and later was elevated to the position of Justice of Appeal in 2009. In May 2013 she was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am heartened to have yet another opportunity to welcome each and every one of you to our customary special sitting and to wish you all a happy New Year filled with promise and hope that God will be so his richest blessings, wisdom, and guidance upon us all, and upon all the Member States and territories,”

She reminded of the previous virtual openings of the Law Year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued use of technology to broadcast the opening. “These innovative tools and platforms. Allow us to reach as many people as possible from as many places as possible. Since its inception, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has been on a steady trajectory of improving the role it plays in Justice administration. Collectively, we have persevered through many challenges, adapting where necessary and reimagining where possible."

Court made significant strides over the years - Hon Pereira

Chief Justice Pereira said the Court has made significant strides and celebrated numerous momentous accomplishments in pursuit of its mandate, which is to facilitate access to a system of justice that is accountable and independent.

Hon Pereira reminded it is a perpetually moving goalpost that keeps those in the sector exploring modern and transformative means of delivering justice and court excellence in a constantly changing society. 

Regarding the theme of the new Law Year, the Chief Justice said innovation and reform make up the mortar that connects and binds the building blocks of the justice system, whether it is modernising the technological resources to remedy systemic impediments to the administration of justice.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Pereira spoke about the need to combat systemic deficiencies in the Court to ensure equitable access to justice, such as the use of AI tools for areas such as transcript production.

She said in pursuit of our transformation, innovations will be explored where the use of information and communication technologies will mean more incrementally increased use of technological advancements to make more appropriate and efficient use of resources. 

Hon Pereira thanked the ECSC, its partners, stakeholders, and agencies for their support over the years in helping the Court achieve its mission. She also thanked all those in attendance for traveling to witness the special opening ceremony and said it was a pleasure to serve as a Chief Justice at the ECSC amidst many challenges and sacrifices over the years.