Dominica Prime Minister Skerrit to sever ties with Privy Council and join the Caribbean Court of Justice

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he intends to write to the United Kingdom later this month indicating Dominica’s intent to sever ties with the London-based Privy Council in order to join the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“This month, January 2013 God willing, we shall write formally to the British government indicating to them our intention of severing ties with the Privy Council and seeking their agreement on that,” Skerrit said.

“As you know the Constitution of Dominica calls for a negotiated departure with the British government,” Skerrit said, adding “if that is done it will not require a referendum, so we just have to get an agreement with the British government.

“Certainly in 2013 Dominica will move very speedily to recognize the Caribbean Court of Justice as our final court,” he said, noting that the island has been paying for the regional court established in 2001 to replace the Privy Council.

Counties in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have taken a US$100 million loan from the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank to meet the operation of the Caribbean Court of Justice and ensure its financial independence. – (CMC)