In a landmark address marking the opening of the 2026 legal year, Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin unveiled sweeping constitutional reforms aimed at asserting national sovereignty. The centerpiece announcement confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda will initiate national consultations on acceding to the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), terminating its reliance on the British Privy Council as its final court of appeal.
Benjamin characterized the prolonged dependence on foreign judicial oversight as ‘an affront to our sovereignty,’ emphatically stating that ‘we are now the masters of our own destiny.’ The government simultaneously revealed plans to commence discussions on transitioning to republic status, with a national referendum to be scheduled following comprehensive public consultation.
A Constitutional Review and Reform Committee has been established to steer these transformative initiatives. Chaired by Benjamin with former Attorney General Justin Simon KC serving as Vice Chair, the committee comprises distinguished members including Dobrene Omarde, Dr. Lenworth Johnson, MP Richard Lewis, Debra Burnette, Beverly Benjamin, and Ralph Bowen. In a gesture of cross-party collaboration, opposition leaders Jamale Pringle and Trevor Walker have received invitations to nominate representatives.
The Attorney General concurrently addressed judicial administration concerns, acknowledging persistent delays in criminal case resolutions while noting the High Court’s civil division operates without significant backlog. Justice system reforms will feature prominently in the 2026 legislative agenda. Benjamin called upon legal professionals to actively educate citizens about CCJ integration and emphasized that constitutional modernization must balance judicial independence with public confidence built upon transparency, integrity, and equitable justice.