Grenada recorded over 8,000 cases in Magistrate Court for 2023/2024

Grenada’s magistrate court system recorded a staggering 8,978 cases during the 2023/2024 fiscal year, according to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) annual report. Criminal and traffic offenses dominated the docket, with 4,314 and 3,542 cases respectively. Civil matters, domestic violence cases, maintenance disputes, juvenile cases, and a coroner’s inquest accounted for the remainder. Grenada’s caseload represented nearly 25% of the total cases across ECSC member states, surpassing St Lucia, which recorded 8,353 cases. St Lucia, however, led in traffic cases with 6,360, while Grenada handled 5,254. Criminal and traffic cases constituted 81.89% of all disposed cases, with Grenada and St Lucia accounting for 55.97% of these. Notably, Grenada alone contributed 42.07% of disposed criminal cases. Chief Justice (Ag) Mario Michel highlighted ongoing justice reforms, including the Revised Criminal Procedure Rules, aimed at enhancing efficiency and safeguarding rights. The rules, currently open for public consultation, seek input from legal professionals, judicial officers, law enforcement, and civil society to ensure their effectiveness across member states.