(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will be inaugurated in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday 16 April 2005, in a ceremony befitting the stature of the organisation.

Proceedings to mark the auspicious event include an interfaith service featuring five religious groups; a formal ceremony comprising the swearing in of the remaining two judges, the procession of judges of the CCJ, and speeches from a selection of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The inaugural ceremony will culminate with an inaugural ball on the evening of 16 April. The interfaith and formal ceremonies will be held at Queen's Hall, while the inaugural ball will be held at President's House. Both venues are within close proximity to the historic Queen's Park Savannah.

The formal ceremony to mark the inauguration of the CCJ will include a procession of the Region's Chief Justices and Judges of the CCJ; an introduction of the Judges of the CCJ by the President of the Court, Honorable Michael de la Bastide, and musical renditions. Earmarked to deliver speeches are CARICOM Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr. the Hon Kenny Anthony; Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Patrick Manning and Chairman of CARICOM and President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Drs. Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan.

Intertwined in the ceremony will be musical renditions from artists such as Rikki Jai, Exodus Steel orchestra and Len "Boogsie" Sharp. The Inaugural ball at the spacious President's House will be a rich blend of Caribbean cuisine and culture. Among the artistes to perform are the legendary Stalin and Gabby of Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados respectively and Denyse Plummer, also of Trinidad and Tobago. The ball will conclude with fireworks over the Queen's Park Savannah.
The inauguration of the CCJ marks the conclusion of a process of preparation and the start of the life of the institution.

The CCJ is a unique institution with both an Appellate Jurisdiction to adjudicate on civil and criminal matters arising from national courts and an Original Jurisdiction to interpret and apply the rules that govern the operation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The court is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago.
CONTACT:

Rose Blenman
rblenman@caricom.org