Leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have agreed to raise the mandatory retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) from 65 to 70 years. According to Antigua News Room, the decision emerged from a two-day OECS summit that concluded in Antigua on Monday.
OECS Chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced the development, noting that discussions were held with Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Chief Justice Madam Justice Margaret Price-Findlay. Browne said that "one of the recommendations coming out of the discussions with the Chief Justice is that the retirement age for judges should be increased to 70 years of age."
Browne acknowledged the challenge posed by the current retirement threshold. He cited difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified replacements once judges retire at 65, noting the struggle to "readily recruit judges who have the necessary expertise and experience."
"That recommendation was certainly met with the approval of heads, so we expect to see some changes in the upcoming maybe weeks and months," Browne added.
The ECSC serves as the superior court of record for the OECS, handling both civil and criminal matters across six independent nations and three British overseas territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.
Headquartered in St. Lucia, the court comprises two primary divisions. The High Court of Justice serves as the court of first instance for trials and hearings in each member state, while the Court of Appeal functions as an itinerant court, travelling between islands to hear appeals from the High Court and local Magistrates' courts.
