The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in partnership with the Judicial Education Institute of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is hosting a conference for the Caricom legal community to discuss issues that will fall under the Bench and Bar’s purview with the implementation of the CSME.

A press release from the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) said the CCJ and the Institute are inviting members of the Caricom legal community to the two-day conference titled ‘The CSME and its Legal Implications: What does it mean for me and you’. The GBA said retired advocate general of the European Court of Justice Sir Francis Jacobs is expected to be the feature presenter at the conference planned for Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain on March 2 and 3.

The CCJ invited Sir Francis to T&T to meet with its judges to discuss the application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which he is reviewing, with a view to bringing it to his vast experience in community law. Other topics on the agenda include the competition commission, community law and the influence of international law on Caribbean domestic law.

The association said the CCJ is keenly aware that with the advent of the CSME that the Bench and Tribunals and the Bar will be tasked with recognising treaty matters, and international law issues and this requires a sound understanding of community and competition law, the revised treaty and other treatises and conventions. The GBA said the formative years of the Caribbean competition regulation also require a regional discussion on competition law and ethos.

The GBA said as these areas are new to the region, the CCJ has undertaken a series of activities to enhance the knowledge of the Bench and the Bar in the region. This project is considered necessary for the region’s legal and judicial education if the CSME is to be well administered.

The attendance fee is US$100 inclusive of meals and interested persons should email administration@caribbeancourtofjustice or ngeorge@caribbeancourtofjustice.org with the caption “March Conference” in the subject line. The association also said hotel accommodation is available at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, the Crowne Plaza Hotel or the Marriott Courtyard and an early indication of attendance will allow it to negotiate for a group rate.