OECS Member Countries celebrated another milestone achievement on Friday 9th February, 2007, with the launching of “Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court-Model Regional Court” which documents the Court’s growth and development over the past 40 years.  This is the first ever publication documenting the history of a regional court.

The book captures the OECS Supreme Court’s response to historic events including Anguilla’s separation from St Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis in 1967, the Grenada Revolution in 1979 as well as the Dominica protest marches coup also in 1979.

“Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court-Model Regional Court” is the brain child of Acting ECSC Chief Justice Sir Brian Alleyne:“ I am proud to have been associated with this undertaking, and trust that this book will contribute to a lasting respect for the rule of law and the fundamental human rights and freedoms, the independence of the judiciary and support for strong institutions of governance characterized by integrity and an unwavering commitment to unselfish service to the people on  whose behalf institutions of governance are established. May God’s blessings be with this enterprise”

The book, decked with the design of the OECS Flag, a photo of leading members of the OECS Judiciary, and the ECSC’s 40th Anniversary logo, should appeal to the OECS man and woman as a home-made publication.

Reacting to the launch of “Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court-Model Regional Court”, President of the OECS Bar Association Nicole Sylvester expressed elation for the compilation of such a precious document: “What  is remarkable about it all is that the book details our past, it is also a chronicle of some of our very important cases so that those of us who use the services of the court, have a document that gives us an understanding of our history and challenges us to think of the future of the court.  I highly recommend the book. It is concise, clear and easy reading.”

The publication was launched in Castries, St. Lucia, where the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is headquartered; and was penned by one of the leading constitutional lawyers in the OECS and former Attorney General of Grenada, Dr. Francis Alexis.  Professor Velma Newton, Librarian, Faculty of Law, UWI, Barbados, edited this writer’s collection piece. The Canadian International Development Agency CIDA has contributed approximately 50 thousand Canadian Dollars towards this historic publication.