Former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, says Jamaica cannot afford to establish its own local final appellate court.
The suggestion has been advanced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness as a third option in the ongoing debate over whether Jamaica should adopt the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, or remain with the UK based Privy Council.
But speaking at the UWI Mona Faculty of Law on Wednesday, Mr. Patterson says his rejection of the idea is based on a study commissioned during the premiership of former Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Mahiri Stewart reports.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has indicated the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, supports the establishment of a local final appellate court.
The Prime Minister says the matter should be put to the people in an indicative referendum.
But one of Holness’ predecessors PJ Patterson says the proposal has already been investigated and found wanting.
The report, which was produced by a committee chaired by now Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, has not been made public.
Mr. Patterson says the report should be released.
He says any money being considered to establish a final local court should be spent on improving the existing judiciary.
Former Prime Minister Patterson says the Caribbean Court of Justice is a worthy court.
He says the court belongs to all Jamaicans. Mr. Patterson has rejected the idea that the court is a partisan one.
He’s recommending that the country accede to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ without the need for an indicative referendum.
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