The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has launched its 2026 judicial term with a comprehensive modernization agenda targeting artificial intelligence governance, digital service expansion, and criminal justice acceleration across its nine-member jurisdiction.
During the ceremonial opening of the High Court, Acting Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay outlined groundbreaking initiatives that position the regional judiciary at the forefront of legal technology adaptation. The court is developing a formal regulatory framework to govern AI utilization by judicial officers and legal practitioners, responding to increased technological integration in court proceedings and record management.
Substantial enhancements are underway for the court’s AI transcription system, initially implemented in 2024, to boost record accuracy and dramatically reduce judgment delivery timelines. Justice Findlay emphasized that while embracing technological efficiency gains, the judiciary remains committed to safeguarding judicial independence and procedural fairness, asserting that technology must augment rather than replace human judicial decision-making and ethical responsibilities.
The court leadership urged universal adoption of the Electronic Litigation Portal, revealing that despite full integration of all case types, inconsistent usage has hampered system effectiveness. Technical assistance programs are being intensified to address operational challenges encountered by court personnel and users.
Substantial criminal justice reforms show promising advancement, with judge-alone trials now operational in Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia. This transformative approach aims to eliminate delays associated with jury selection and alleviate chronic case backlogs.
The ECSC has completed comprehensive revisions to criminal procedure rules, is finalizing updated sentencing guidelines, and has circulated a draft criminal mediation framework for public consultation as part of a broader shift toward alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
In a historic development, Justice Findlay announced the acquisition of a permanent, purpose-built headquarters for the ECSC in Saint Lucia, concluding a two-decade pursuit for a dedicated institutional home that symbolizes the court’s enduring regional presence.