Privy Council vs CCJ is a matter of self-belief

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The debate over the Privy Council versus the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is not just about legal quality – it is about our confidence as a nation.

We often hear that the CCJ cannot match the Privy Council’s standards. But quality can be built. To reject the CCJ on that basis is to accept the damaging belief that we cannot, and will never be able to, govern ourselves to the highest level.

There is also the symbolism we ignore. We celebrate Independence Day to honour our ancestors’ fight for freedom, yet we still entrust our final court of appeal to the very nation from which we broke free. That is more than inconsistency – it is a lingering colonial mindset.

True independence means trusting our institutions, investing in them, and holding them to the highest standard. If we truly value our freedom, we must finish the job and take full ownership of our justice system.

CARLTON FEARON

Brumalia, Mandeville