No CCJ Referendum During Current Term

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says his administration will not pursue another referendum on replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice during its current term in office.

Browne made the disclosure while discussing public confidence in the regional judiciary and the controversy surrounding sentences imposed for firearm and sexual offences.

The Prime Minister said he remains a supporter of the CCJ and previously campaigned strongly for Antigua and Barbuda to adopt the regional court as its final appellate body.

However, he conceded that the concerns expressed by voters during the failed 2018 referendum could not simply be dismissed.

“I recognise that the people are not necessarily wrong,” Browne said.

He argued that the present controversy demonstrates that more work is required to strengthen public confidence in regional judicial institutions.

“I’m not arguing against the transition, and I will continue to support that transition,” he explained. “But I have to accept that we are probably not at the level of maturity to make that transition as yet.”

Browne said there was “no way” his administration would attempt another transition to the CCJ during the current parliamentary term.

Antigua and Barbuda currently retains the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom as its final court of appeal.

The Prime Minister said many citizens continue to regard the geographical and institutional distance of the Privy Council as an important safeguard.

His comments represent a significant pause in the Government’s longstanding campaign for Antigua and Barbuda to adopt the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction.