Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Our Readers' Opinions
May 2, 2014

Is it time for the jury system to be abolished

Fri May 2, 2014

Editor: Several prominent legal luminaries in the region are calling for abolishment of jury trials. I have not heard any official call from the St Vincent Bar Association, but I am aware of the fact that a few defence lawyers feel that the age-old trial by jury should be removed.

In the time of Edward III in the 11th century, by the law of land, jury system had been substituted by due process of law, which in those times was a trial by 12 peers. The Magna Carta of 1215 further secured trial by jury and this was handed down and practised in the BVI and all Commonwealth countries and territories.

However, a few countries abolished the jury system, including South Africa as long ago as 1969 and this was not known by many persons until the trial of the well known Olympic medallist, Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Coming closer to home, Belize abolished trial by jury in murder cases and attempted murder cases. Four years ago, Guyanese born Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, who presided and decided the first criminal case, found a young man guilty of shooting and attempting to kill a senior counsel, Rodney Williams, who is the law partner of the country’s Prime Minister, Dean Barrow. Justice Benjamin found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment.

And a few months ago, Trinidad and Tobago Chief Justice Ivor Archie called for the jury system to be reviewed and introduce trial by judge. His comment was supported by two retired Chief Justices; Sharma and de la Bastide; the latter also served as the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice — the highest court of the land.

Over in Guyana, one of the country’s leading senior counsels, Ralph Ramkarran, who served as Speaker of Parliament, is advocating for the jury system to be abolished. In most of the Eastern Caribbean states as well as Jamaica, a few senior lawyers also see the need for single judges to determine criminal cases.

The advocates for the abolishment of the jury system are contending that there is no magic in the principle of trial by peers. It is an ancient system which has worked in many societies, particularly which have inherited the common law tradition. It is further argued that jury trial by peers is neither a constitutional nor a human right.

On the other hand, magistrates determine more than 90 per cent of the criminal cases without a jury, though those cases are not murders, manslaughter or attempted murder and other more serious offences, but in any event they have to adjudicate without a jury.

There is a disparity in the Jury Act in St Vincent and the Grenadines whereby the prosecution is at will to “stand down” as many jurors they wish, without showing cause, but the defence is only allowed to object to three without showing cause and thereafter have to give reasons if they want to object to more than three. The manner of selection of persons to serve as jurors is also being questioned.

Oscar Ramjeet

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    New era at modern Kingstown Port
    Front Page
    New era at modern Kingstown Port
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The port operations in St Vincent and the Grenadines is entering into a new era to accommodate growing demands of international trade and cruise touri...
    No rent for Union Island vendors until January
    Front Page
    No rent for Union Island vendors until January
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    In an effort to ensure that vendors on Union Island fully recover from the setbacks caused by Hurricane Beryl, the government has decided to waive ven...
    Small fire displaces  form-5 students at SJCK
    Front Page
    Small fire displaces form-5 students at SJCK
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Form five students of the St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown, are expected to return to their classroom today, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 after a small fir...
    Vincentian make-up artist, designer in UK  spotlight again
    Front Page
    Vincentian make-up artist, designer in UK spotlight again
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The international profile and resume of Vincentian makeup artist and designer, Kirk Cambridge-Delpesche continue to receive enhancements, with the lat...
    Union Island Ferry Terminal and Market opens
    Front Page
    Union Island Ferry Terminal and Market opens
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Amidst the on-going recovery from the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, residents on Union Island saw the opening of a new Ferry Terminal...
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    One week after the start of the hunting season, the Forestry Division within the Ministry of Agriculture is reminding hunters of their responsibilitie...
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    News
    Hunters advised not to use injurious methods on their prey
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    One week after the start of the hunting season, the Forestry Division within the Ministry of Agriculture is reminding hunters of their responsibilitie...
    NDP vice-president tells Central Leeward voters not to lose hope
    News
    NDP vice-president tells Central Leeward voters not to lose hope
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Vice-President of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson said the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), want a decent qual...
    Former Minister of Government and Diplomat dies
    News
    Former Minister of Government and Diplomat dies
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Former Minister of Government in the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration, Selmon Walters, has died. Family members confirmed that Walters, who at ...
    Region prepares for COP30 at meeting in St Lucia
    News
    Region prepares for COP30 at meeting in St Lucia
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders met in St Lucia from October 7–10, 2025, for the Second Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 30th Conference of ...
    Ambassador of  Ireland presents  Letters of Credence
    News
    Ambassador of Ireland presents Letters of Credence
    Webmaster 
    October 14, 2025
    The Ambassador of Ireland to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Geraldine Byrne Nason, presented her Letters of Credence to Governor General, Dame Susan D...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok