From Jamaica Observer

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Senator Dr Christopher Tufton says the issue of unbiased legal redress from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is a concern for both local and private investors.

Speaking in the debate on the Caribbean Court of Justice Bills (CCJ) in the Senate Friday, Tufton said that private investors, including foreign investors who assess access to unbiased legal redress in deciding where to invest, particularly where they have to deal with governments, are concerned about the issue.

“We cannot ignore this issue, minister. I am asking you to address it in your closing,” he told minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, who is piloting the Bills.

Tufton suggested that drawing from a larger pool of jurists within the Commonwealth, which is a possibility under the proposed legislations, could resolve the issue. However, he said that the minister might have other suggestions.

“I think the legislation should allow the Judicial Services Commission to have the flexibility to invite persons to serve, rather than just to allow interested applicants to be considered. This, I believe, would widen the base of possible options,” he said.

Tufton asked for more consultation on the issue, particularly as it relates to the private investors.

“We have to send a signal that if we do away with the Privy Council, investors will be guaranteed the same due process at the appeals level,” he said.

Balford Henry

For more on this story go to: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Legal-redress-under-CCJ-an-issue-for-investors–Tufton-says