The UIHJ Attends CAJO Biennial Conference in Barbados

 

The conference brought together members of the judiciary, court administrators, registrars and many other legal professionals from throughout the Caribbean region to network and exchange ideas on the many topics to be discussed during the conference. The UIHJ was represented by board members Sue Collins (USA) and Luis Ortega Alcubierre (Spain).

The conference attendees were greeted with the music of a full-scale uniformed band and a formal, marching presentation of the region's flags. The welcoming speeches were given by the Honorable Chief Justice of Barbados, Sir Marsten Gibson and Justice Adrian Saunders, Chairman of CAJO. Both Justices spoke of the opportunities that this conference brings to renew friendships and professional relationships and to discuss issues in the region that are in need of reform or a critical look. This year's conference had many topics, but the main emphasis centered around gender justice in the region. The first meeting of the Caribbean Association of Women Judges took place on the first day of the conference.

Tracy Robinson, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Jamaica was the keynote speaker on the first day of the conference. Miss Robinson teaches undergraduate courses in Constitutional Law, Commonwealth Caribbean Human Rights Law, Family Law & Gender and the Law. She is a member of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights and serves as the Rapporteur for the Rights of Women on the Commission. The Plenary Session of the first day was titled “Gender Justice Over Time”.

The attendees then broke into groups and covered subjects such as the jury system - should it be maintained, insolvency in the region and its solutions, prosecutorial discretion & constitutionalism, judicial techniques to enhance efficiency in the delivery of justice, the role of IT in efficient case management and the protection of the rights of children & minorities. Each of these subjects had a panel of experts to speak on the subject and relay ideas to the audience.

Norman Girvan, Professor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies was the keynote speaker on the second day of the conference. Mr. Girvan has held many noteworthy positions recently as a member of the United Nations Committee on Development and Policy and he has served as Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States and the United Nations Secretary General's Personal Representative on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy. The Plenary Session was titled: “Balancing Your Personal and Professional Life.”

The beak-outs for the second day addressed subjects such as integration and migration with the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), user friendly delivery of justice, judicial officers and the media, alternative dispute resolution and the role of the non-lawyer, systematic corruption in the legal system and human trafficking in the Caribbean. Again, each of the topics had a panel of experts to address the issues and suggest solutions.

The conference was a great success. The exchange of ideas for change, reform and improvement flowed throughout the sessions. CAJO will plan another meeting of this type two years from now to continue the momentum achieved by this conference.