Welcome to our CARICOM Treaty Law and Practice Seminar page, where have provided all the information you will need to learn about our exciting Seminar.

At the Office of the General Counsel/Legal Services in CARICOM, we recognize the continuing development of CARICOM jurisprudence, which is rooted in international law as we are a Community established by Treaty. The application of international law, with a particular focus on Treaty law, is becoming a niche area in the practice of law in the Region. The Original Jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice is required by Article 217 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to apply rules of international law. As this jurisdiction becomes more active, the role that international law plays in the Community and the increasing need for specialist training for officials and practitioners are fundamental.

This is the second annual Seminar hosted by the Office of the General Counsel of the CARICOM Secretariat, following an extremely successful and well-received programme last year on St Vincent and the Grenadines. This year, the Seminar will be in The Bahamas and will be facilitated by a team of highly experienced legal experts from the Office of the General Counsel. We are supported by the European Union with presentations from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Topics to be addressed -

Overview of international law (Sources,Vienna Convention etc.)

Overview of the CARICOM Treaty/CARICOM Structure (Organs/Bodies/Functions)

Participation in Treaties and Drafting of Final Clauses

The CARICOM Treaty Process (Treaty Registry and Depositary etc)

The Treaty Process of the OAS

The Treaty Process of ECOWAS

Implementing Treaty Obligations: The Commonwealth Perspective (COMSEC)

We trust that you will be able to participate in this very useful Seminar.

Cheryl Thompson-Barrow
General Counsel, CARICOM Secretariat