The legal fraternity in Antigua and Barbuda gathered yesterday for a church service at the Ebenezer Methodist Church to commemorate the beginning of the 2025 Law Year.
The service, a Ceremonial Opening which preceded today’s official opening of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), centered on themes of justice, accessibility, and community engagement.
During the service, spiritual readings focused on the foundational principles of justice, drawing from Biblical passages that spoke to the importance of fair legal proceedings and unbiased treatment, regardless of economic status.
The legal fraternity reflected on the mandate that justice must be administered without partiality, whether to the poor or the wealthy.
The service included prayers for the legal profession, with particular emphasis on their role in bridging the gap between courts and the communities they serve.
Special attention was given to prayers for vulnerable populations and victims of criminal behavior who may feel disconnected from the legal system, while another key message focused on collective responsibility in the pursuit of justice.
The sermon highlighted that justice should extend beyond individual accountability to encompass the well-being of the entire community, emphasizing that legal professionals must work to dismantle barriers, whether geographical, economic, or informational.
Following the commemoration service, a ceremonial inspection of the guard was held on the steps of the High Court. This was a prelude to The Law Year’s official opening which takes place today.
Acting Chief Justice Mario Michel will lead the proceedings. He will be joined, via social media platforms, by distinguished speakers and other notable legal practitioners from across the Eastern Caribbean including Antigua and Barbuda’s Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Shannon Jones-Gittens.
The formal Special Sitting of the Court will be held at the High Court and will be broadcast live through the court’s website. It is expected to expand on the themes of accessibility and community engagement, central to this year’s theme of “Accessibility and Awareness – The ECSC Bridging the Gap through Community Engagement”.
