Replacing Appeals to the Privy Council: Whither Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Given that the theme of this Panel 'The experience of other Commonwealth countries which have replaced the Privy Council and, the effect on their respective justice systems', is strictly inapplicable to Trinidad & Tobago which has not replaced the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final appellate court, I make my contribution in the context of the Symposium theme with what some may say is a rhetorical question, that is,, 'Whither Trinidad & Tobago?' I pose the rhetorical question deliberately, given that Trinidad & Tobago is uniquely positioned as a Member of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and, as a signatory to the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice. This Republic is, after all: (i) the seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice; (ii) the seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice Trust Fund; and (iii) has contributed the first President of that Court, namely The Right Honourable Mr. Justice Michael de la Bastide, TC, QC.