KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Senator Alexander Williams says that the government needs to know whether Jamaicans want the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ).

“Do we know if the people of Jamaica really want the CCJ as their final appellate court?” Senator Williams asked, as he made his contribution to the debate on the three Bills aimed at replacing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) with the CCJ, as Jamaica’s final court of appeal.

Senator Williams said that the question must be answered before any attempt is made to join the appellate arm of the CCJ.

He stated that there were several advantages to holding a referendum, including that it would give the electorate a chance to participate in the legal reform, and help to strengthen the people’s faith in the democratic process.

He said that a final court of appeal must enjoy “the greatest level of protection if it is to succeed”.

“A two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament may not necessarily represent the will of the people,” he suggested.

Senator Williams said that the Opposition is insisting that any final appellate court for Jamaica must be deeply entrenched through the results of a referendum.

Balford Henry