CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA, March 16 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Stephenson King announced that his government is planning to start by year end public consultations on the island’s entry to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The CCJ was created in 2005 to replace the London-based Privy Council as top legal body to settle disputes in the region but only Barbados and Guyana have joined as full members so far.

According to King, constitutional steps will be taken in the next few months to submit the proposal to a referendum, where it must get two-thirds of the votes.

He said that Saint Lucia will fulfil commitments adopted within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to assume the CCJ as a court of final appeal considered a key step towards total independence from Britain.

King made his remarks during the recent 21st Inter-sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government held in Roseau, Dominica, on March 11-12. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA

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