Find Legal expertise in Grenada
- Legal System
- Profession
- Development
Legal system
Grenada’s legal system is based on English Common Law and its legal system is exercised by the East Caribbean Supreme Court of Justice. This was established (as the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court) in 1967 with its headquarters in St Lucia, and is responsible for the administration of justice in its member states including Grenada. It comprises the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.
Grenada was among the eight nations that met to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2003, replacing the Privy Council in England as the last court of appeal. On the advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition it is the role of the Governor-General to appoint the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He or she also appoints the other justices on the advice of a judicial commission.
The High Court has 16 judges, two of whom are permanently resident in the country. Less serious cases are heard in magistrates’ courts. The Court of Appeal is itinerant and generally sits three times a year in Grenada. The High Court’s jurisdiction includes fundamental rights and freedoms, and constitutional issues. Grenada has an independent judiciary. It is the only country in the Eastern Caribbean sub-region that has an institutionalized legal aid system.
Profession
Grenada is amongst the governments that have signed an agreement establishing a Council of Legal Education which sets common education and training standards for their jurisdictions. The Council of Legal Education is responsible for setting the education and training standards for people with a law degree from the University of the West Indies or from institutions in Common Law countries. Additionally it operates three regional law schools, located in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Bahamas, which provide certificates of legal education.
The countries subscribing to the Council of Legal Education recognise that someone with a Certificate of Legal Education has the appropriate education and training to work in the profession in that country. Grenada has seven judges, one prosecutor and approximately fifty attorneys (2012). Grenada has around 65 law firms; these include Amicus Attorneys, Bernardine Ashley, Danny Williams & Co, Grenlaw Chambers and John Evette.
Development
Not included in the World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report (2012-2013).