Belize to join appellate arm of CCJ

Belize has announced that it will join the appellate arm of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) effective June 1.



Parliament approved the changes earlier this year, paving the way for Belize to become the third country to make the CCJ its final court in civil and criminal matters.



A statement from the office of Prime Minister Dean Barrow also said that the jurisdiction of the British Privy Council in appeal matters for Belize will be abolished on that same date.



He says the move represents a major landmark in the constitutional and legal history of Belize.



Mr. Barrow also says the move to the CCJ should not affect appeals pending before the Privy Council on May 31, 2010.