PM to indicate gov't position on CCJ as Jamaica's final appellate court

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is to communicate the government's position on Jamaica adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final appellate court.

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon, Chair of the Constitutional Reform Committee Marlene Malahoo Forte said she reported to Cabinet a call by opposition members of the Committee for the government to state its official position on the CCJ. 

 

"I should say that the government is paying close attention to the poll results on the matter concerning the final court as well as all of the matters relating to a constitutional reform. Mr. Speaker, there is and should be no disagreement that it is unacceptable and untenable to continue with an arrangement where Jamaicans need a visa to access their final court," said Mrs Malahoo Forte, who is also Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs. 

 

In the latest RJRGLEANER Don Anderson polls, 58.9 per cent of respondents were in favour of the adoption of the CCJ as Jamaica's final court, while 23 per cent said Jamaica should retain the UK-based Privy Council.

 

The parliamentary opposition has remained adamant that as part of the constitutional reform process which is ongoing, Jamaica must subscribe to the CCJ as its final court of appeal.