Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court facts for kids

Not to be confused with the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is a very important court for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It serves nine different places. These include six independent countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It also serves three British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat. This court can make decisions on all kinds of legal cases in each of these places.

What is the ECSC?

The ECSC is like a top court for many islands in the Eastern Caribbean. It makes sure that laws are followed fairly. It helps solve problems and hear appeals from lower courts. This court plays a big role in keeping justice in the region.

History of the Court

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court started in 1967. It was created by a special order called the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court Order. In Grenada, the court is sometimes known by a slightly different name. It is called "the Supreme Court of Grenada and the West Indies Associated States."

What the Court Does

The ECSC has several important jobs. It helps to:

• Understand and use the laws of the different OECS countries.
• Decide on cases that involve both civil matters (like disagreements between people) and criminal matters (like breaking the law).
• Listen to appeals. This means people can ask the court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Who Works at the Court?

The ECSC is made up of different judges. It has a Chief Justice who leads the court. There are also Justices of Appeal who hear cases that are being reviewed. Many High Court Judges work in the different member countries. They handle new cases and make important decisions. These judges come from various countries and have a lot of experience.

Where is the Court Located?

The main office, or Headquarters, of the ECSC is in Castries, Saint Lucia. It is located in the Heraldine Rock Building, right on the Waterfront. This building holds the offices for the Justices of Appeal. It also has the Court of Appeal Registry, a special library, and administrative services.

Besides the main office, there are also Court Offices in each of the nine member countries. These offices are where the High Court Judges work. Each office has a Registrar. This person is trained in law and helps the High Court run smoothly.

Related pages

• Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
• Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC)
• Caribbean Court of Justice

See also

In Spanish: Suprema Corte del Caribe Oriental para niños