By Kisean Joseph
Acting Chief Justice Mario Michel announced unprecedented success in case clearance rates across the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), with Antigua and Barbuda’s High Court leading the way with a notable 256.4 percent clearance rate. The information was shared during the Court’s Special Sitting on Friday, marking the opening of the 2025 Law Year.
“This is the third consecutive year of an over 100 percent clearance rate, with an upward movement from 68.13 percent in 2021 to 104.4 percent in 2023,” Justice Michel said, highlighting the court’s consistent improvement in addressing case backlogs.
The introduction of an electronic litigation portal across member states has contributed significantly to this efficiency, although there are notable disparities. While Antigua and Barbuda set the pace, other jurisdictions have been struggling to keep up, with Dominica recording the lowest clearance rate at 34.62 percent.
The ECSC’s 2023 performance demonstrates significant progress in tackling judicial backlogs. “In 2023, a total of 7,742 cases were filed in the High Courts in the nine member states and territories of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, whilst 8,083 cases were disposed of,” Michel explained. “This is a clearance rate of over 100 percent, meaning that the High Courts, as a collective, are hearing more cases than are being filed so that a dent is being made in the backlog of cases in the system.”
The Court of Appeal has shown equally impressive results, managing a substantial caseload despite its relatively small size. In 2023, the appellate court handled 450 new filings, conducted 324 full court hearings, and processed 499 chamber matters. The court delivered 97 written judgments and 473 oral decisions, maintaining a clearance rate exceeding 100 percent.
“This level of performance compares very favorably with courts within and without the Caribbean region,” Michel noted. “Indeed, it may well be said that we are streets ahead of our neighbors.”
The Acting Chief Justice, however, acknowledged ongoing challenges in the judicial system. “This is not to be taken to mean that there are no problems with delays in the delivery of judgments by some of our judges, or that there is not sometimes a lack of expedition by some judges in the conduct of proceedings,” he said and characterised these challenges as “a work in progress,” emphasizing that improvements continue to be made.