Conference Programme

Globally, judiciaries are advancing the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the administration of justice by implementing tailored digital and artificial intelligence interventions. In the Caribbean, as regional judiciaries continue to address issues such as backlog, delay, ineffective and inefficient court systems and practices, interventions of this nature can play a significant role.

 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. List and describe at least three emerging technologies and their advantages that can enhance the work of Caribbean judiciaries.
2. Describe at least three challenges which must be considered when implementing new technologies in Caribbean judiciaries.
3. Discuss at least two ethical dilemmas involved in the use of AI to enhance the work of courts.

Globally and across the Caribbean region, migrant crises as well as the expanding reality of forms of gender-based violence have seen increases in forced labour, human trafficking, and modern forms of slavery. Judiciaries ought to be equipped to not only hear cases that touch on these issues but also to focus on the use of rights and survivor-based approaches.

 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss why human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude are considered modern forms of slavery.
2. Describe at least three examples of cases which may properly be characterised as modern forms of slavery.
3. Explain why and how non-punishment and re-victimisation are relevant in matters of forced labour, human trafficking, and modern forms of slavery.

Across the Caribbean region, and over the past decade, the work of judiciaries has exponentially increased. The provision of suitable resources and the adoption of innovative measures have not kept pace with that increase. Backlogs, delays and inefficient processes have proven to be the bane of many Judiciaries. To ensure that public trust and confidence are maintained, it is imperative that courts set and sustain reasonable and achievable performance standards.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define at least three fundamental principles that inform courts’ performance standards.
2. Describe at least three performance standard measures and interventions that can increase efficiency and effectiveness of case flow management.

(a) To explore the challenges faced by the registries with new technologies including dealing with self-represented litigants

(b) To examine how registries can better use new technologies

(c) To examine how courts support staff in the pandemic and whether there is more that can be done.

(d) To explore what courts do to –

(i) Address staff mental health and wellbeing needs

(iii) Engage/Recognise staff in the decision making process/court processes

International and regional surveys done over the past three years have shown that judicial officers across the Caribbean are experiencing high levels of stress as a result of various factors which include the administration of their judicial duties. It is thus imperative that the challenges faced be explored and tools and strategies shared towards ensuring judicial officers’ optimal wellness.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. List and describe at least three wellness challenges faced by judicial officers.
2. Identify at least three causes of judicial stress and work-related distress.
3. Identify and describe at least three techniques to combat judicial stress and restore and maintain wellness.

The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) prescribes a number of obligations which CARICOM states must adhere to and consider. As well, the RTC provides for referrals to the Caribbean Court of Justice for the interpretation or application of treaty provisions. These obligations and procedures ought to be known and understood by all CARICOM courts and their judicial officers in furtherance of the sustainability of Caribbean regionalism.

 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the intersections between Caribbean community law obligations under the RTC and domestic law across the region.
2. Describe the powers, duties, and responsibilities of domestic courts in relation to community law.
3. Identify and explain the processes and procedures to be followed by a domestic (or national) court in referring to the CCJ an issue concerning community law that arises during the course of proceedings.

Environmental law and issues of sustainable development are at the fore of global and regional climate change and human rights discourses. Regional judicial officers thus ought to be equipped to not only adjudicate on such issues but also implement analytical approaches that sufficiently consider these issues.

 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss at least three key intersections between the law and threats to the sustainability of global environments, with a focus on Caribbean states.
2. Identify and discuss the degree to which environmental justice is developing globally and regionally to protect animal and nature rights, indigenous peoples, and ways of living and cultures.
3. Describe how the interpretation and application of international, constitutional, and domestic law can be re-imagined to promote environmental justice.

Caribbean countries share similar social and political histories and realities that result in power disparities along gender lines. These disparities require astute intersectional analysis towards ensuring each element of the judicial process sufficiently and meaningfully considers these disparities and that judicial officers implement sensitive and appropriate approaches to the delivery of justice.

 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how legal writing can contribute to gender injustice.
2. Identify at least three practices which can improve gender sensitivity in judgment writing and decision-making.

Describe at least three ways gender and intersectional power relations impact court users’ experiences and judicial decision-making.