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Support for CCJ as final appellate court grows ahead of Senate debate

As the Senate gears up to begin debate on whether Jamaica should establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final appellate court, several powerful groups issued a statement last night, declaring their full support for the Court.

In a joint statement night, the Jamaican Bar Association along with seven leading NGOs, associations and civil society groups urged support for the CCJ as the country's final appellate court.

The list includes the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations, National Integrity Action, University of Technology - Law Faculty, Jamaica Civil Service Association, Lawyers Christian Fellowship, Cornwall Bar Association, University and Allied Workers Union, and the Jamaican Bar Association.

The groups are hoping to convince senators opposed to the CCJ that it's time to break away from the Privy Council. 

In the statement, the groups reminded the senators that access to the Privy Council is simply not available for the vast majority of Caricom nationals.

They argued that most Caribbean nationals cannot afford to take their case to the Privy Council and that the CCJ offers them an opportunity to get justice. They added that, after ten years, they have seen changes to the CCJ, as originally structured, that better secure its independence and ability to provide justice.

The Senate debate on the CCJ Bills begins on Friday.



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