On Tuesday in Antigua and Barbuda, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court will launch sentencing guidelines for judges and magistrates in the Criminal Division, according to Government Information Services.
“The intention of the sentencing guidelines is to achieve a more uniformed approach to sentencing practice, greater consistency in sentencing, transparency, and, in turn, greater public confidence in the administration of criminal justice,” explained Chief Justice Dame Janice Pereira.
The guidelines were formulated by the ECSC Sentencing Advisory Committee, which is jointly chaired by Justice Gertel Thom and Justice of Appeal Iain Morely, QC, under the direction of Ms. Pereira.
In preparation for the launch of the guidelines, Mr. Morely led a one-day training seminar on July 29 to secure feedback from legal practitioners, litigants, social workers, mediators, probation officers, the police, correctional services officers and members of the public in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, according to GIS.
In the Virgin Islands, the Tuesday launch will be broadcast upstairs at High Court. Because it will not take the form of a special sitting, the
bench and the bar are not required to be robed, according to government.
Invited guests are asked to be seated by 9:45 a.m.
“I am inviting all attorneys to be a part of this event,” Ms Periera said.
Besides the VI, the ECSC has jurisdiction in Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Montserrat.