Saint Lucia has taken a major step toward addressing long-standing delays within its justice system with the official opening of a Criminal Backlog Reduction Court at the Monplaisir Building.
The new facility is expected to accelerate the processing of criminal matters and ease pressure on the courts, as authorities move to improve efficiency and restore public confidence in the administration of justice.
Prime Minister and Minister for Justice, Philip J Pierre, highlighted the scale of the issue, revealing that a significant number of cases have been pending for years.
“I am informed that of the 1,138 cases pending as of March 31, 2026, 587 of them, or 51.6 per cent, have been there for over six years,” Pierre said. “By any measure, this is unacceptable and justifies the saying that justice delayed is justice denied.”
He noted that the backlog has been a key concern for the government since taking office.
“This mounting backlog of cases has been a pressing issue for my administration since assuming office in July 2021,” he added.
Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Margaret Alison Price Findlay, described the initiative as a critical evolution in the justice system.
“The establishment of this court is not merely an administrative development, it is a declaration of purpose,” she said. “It is a statement that the administration of justice must continually evolve to meet the expectations of the people it serves and the demands of the rule of law.”
She emphasized the broader role of the courts within Caribbean democracies.
“Across our Caribbean region, our courts stand as guardians of constitutional democracy. They are institutions where rights are vindicated, disputes are resolved and the rule of law is given practical meaning,” she stated.
Director of Public Prosecutions Daarsrean Greene warned that prolonged delays undermine the integrity of the justice system.
“The maxim justice delayed is justice denied has stood as a pillar upon which justice systems in all democratic societies are built,” Greene said. “Inordinate delay inevitably erodes its fundamental meaning and results in the loss of public confidence.”
He added that delays in both criminal and civil matters amount to injustice.
“Delay in the disposition of matters clearly amounts to injustice,” he noted.
Attorney General Leslie Mondesir acknowledged longstanding frustrations with the system and the need for reform.
“For far too long, the backlog and delays in our criminal court system have frustrated the delivery of justice in Saint Lucia,” Mondesir said.
He explained that the new court forms part of a broader, targeted strategy.
“The increased number of cases demanded a holistic approach to ensure that justice is not only done, but done in a timely manner,” he added.
The establishment of the Criminal Backlog Reduction Court is expected to play a key role in reducing delays, improving case management and strengthening the overall effectiveness of Saint Lucia’s judicial system.