Showers of praise fell on Chief Justice Janice Pereira as members of the legal fraternity recognized her contribution as their leader who is going into retirement during a special sitting to mark the opening of the Law Year 2024 last Friday at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.
Speaking on behalf of the Attorneys Generals of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States, Attorney General Senator Claudette Joseph thanked the British Virgin Islander for her work during her long years of service to the profession.
“…As the court convenes to mark the opening of the new Law Year, we also celebrate and emulate and profoundly thank our distinguished Chief Justice – an outstanding Caribbean daughter for her stellar service to our court and sub-region on this her last sitting of an opening over which she will preside,” said the Grenada AG who is also the island’s Minister of Legal Affairs.
According to the senior government minister, the theme chosen for this year’s Law Year opening reflects the work of the Chief Justice during her tenure.
“As the court sits on this extraordinary occasion, the theme chosen “Innovation and Justice Reform, the ECSC: Looking to the future” is apt and in a sense speaks directly to the tenure of Chief Justice Pereira as head and leader of the judiciary in the Eastern Caribbean,” she remarked.
Praising the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) leadership, Sen. Joseph stated that development and innovation within the legal profession is as a result of the body’s evolutionary guidance and governance.
“We have been blessed with successive, progressive leadership that has allowed us to embrace our ever evolving social and economic circumstances and in that way to move forward innovatively that continuously enhance access to justice and equality before the law for our people,” she said.
Highlighting the implementation of the E-litigation portal, the Minister of Legal Affairs revealed that under Dame Janice’s leadership, a solid technological foundation was set whereby issues can be dealt with efficiently.
“I will submit that the strides we have made in the last ten and twelve years have set us on a solid foundation from which we can look to the future with confidence, ready to take on challenges as they arise.”
AG Joseph stressed that the execution of the E-litigation portal will be a major aspect of Dame Pereira’s legacy.
“These advances in the recent history of the court have seen us embracing technology for instance at a faster pace and more efficiently than our bigger sisters in the wider region.
“The introduction of the E-litigation portal was simply revolutionary. Its value to the administration of justice became stark during the pandemic…embracing technology in this manner makes for greater efficiency and transparency in the administration of justice.
The Attorney General said that she was looking forward to the future with eagerness due to the actions and decisions made by current and former ECSC leaders.
“Our sub-region has you to thank for progressive thinking and aggressive implementation… I say we are not just lucky, we are not just looking to the future. We are doing so with anticipation and confidence, knowing that we are already poised to conquer whatever challenges we are to face,” she added.
Sen. Joseph specially thanked Dame Janice on behalf of her colleagues in the sub-region for her transformative leadership. She said: “On behalf of the Attorneys General in all jurisdictions, I say thank you for your visionary leadership in this regard… as we endeavour to improve access to justice for all our people and to build their confidence in the justice system.
“We must adapt and respond to societal and economic changes. Our court is a success story and it is a success story that it is today in part because of the boldness of its leaders, particularly former Chief Justice Sir Dennis Byron and you my lady Chief Justice.”
According to Sen. Joseph, the initiatives embarked upon by Dame Pereira will continue to push the court system in the region into becoming a “model regional institution”.
“…The common trend that runs through all of these directions and amendments and enhancements to the rules and laws is that they make access to justice a reality for all (because) in leading the court, Chief Justice puts the people we serve first,” she said.
Interim President of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA) Francis Paul in his address to the Bar applauded the intelligence and prowess of Dame Janice during her time as Chief Justice.
“As one of the longest serving Chief Justices, you have served the court and the Eastern Caribbean States with distinction. Your acute intellect, formidable leadership and vision has definitely transformed the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
“We in Grenada are eternally grateful for your service. You have set the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (on) the pathway to becoming a model court comparably to any court in the region or the developed world.