ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Senior law professor at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Simeon McIntosh has criticised the reluctance of both Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica to become full-fledged members of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Professor McIntosh was reacting to statements made by Prime Ministers Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Bruce Golding which he said suggest that the two leaders do not favour the CCJ as the region’s final appellate tribunal.

Golding is a known opponent of the CCJ while Persad-Bissessar said her four-month old administration is not placing a high priority on becoming a full member.

“I criticise that statement because it is a clear indication that they are very reluctant to join the CCJ, both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago,” McIntosh said.

Only Barbados, Guyana and Belize are full members of the CCJ established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court of appeal.

Professor McIntosh, a Grenadian, is in St George’s this week to participate in law week celebrations. He said he hopes prime ministers Golding and Persad-Bissessar would soon have a change of heart regarding the CCJ.

“My position has always been that the Caribbean Court of Justice would not get very far without our two most populous, our largest and arguably our strong political countries in the region,” he said.

“In light of that it is important that we have the full membership of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on the Caribbean Court of Justice. I would hope in due course that they would come to see the light.”

Golding and Persad-Bissessar have both said that a referendum is needed to determine their countries’ relationship with the CCJ although it may not be a constitutional requirement.

Only last week former Grenada Attorney General and President of the Bar Association Dr Francis Alexis called on Caribbean Community countries to become full-fledged members of the CCJ or risk being thrown out of the London Privy council by the United Kingdom.