The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) will inaugurate its 2026 judicial year with ceremonial proceedings in Dominica on January 12, marking a significant return to full regional participation after a four-year hiatus. Under the theme “The ECSC: Justice that Endures – Anchored in Independence, Strengthened through Trust,” the event signals a revitalized commitment to judicial excellence across the Caribbean region.
The opening festivities commence on January 11, 2026, with an ecumenical service at Fatima Catholic Church at 9:00 AM, following tradition observed across most member states. The following day, a formal procession will advance to the State House Conference Room—temporarily designated as a courtroom for the occasion—where official ceremonies begin at 9:00 AM. The program features a Guard of Honour inspection followed by a Special Sitting at 10:00 AM.
This year’s opening achieves historical significance as the ECSC reinstates simultaneous court sessions across all nine Member States and Territories for the first time since 2022. Her Ladyship the Hon. Mde. Margaret Price Findlay, Acting Chief Justice, will deliver the keynote address from Dominica, with her speech broadcast live throughout the region via multiple platforms including the Commonwealth of Dominica Information Services, ECSC social media channels, official court websites, and UWITV.
Established in 1967 through West Indies Associated States Supreme Court Order No. 223, the ECSC serves as a superior court of record for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Its jurisdiction extends across six sovereign nations—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—plus three British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat. The court maintains unlimited jurisdiction within each member territory.
The ECSC encourages public engagement through physical attendance at events or remote participation via available broadcast options, emphasizing the importance of civic connection to judicial processes.