Lower House Approves New Pension and Gratuities Law for Judicial Officers

Background

On Thursday, the Lower House of Parliament concluded the first step in harmonizing the island with a law regarding the payment of Pensions and Gratuities to Judicial Officers under the OECS Supreme Court upon their retirement.

Bill Details

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Judicial Officers Pensions) Bill, 2024, is awaiting approval in the Upper House of Parliament, which is scheduled to meet on December 27.

Leader of Government Business

According to Phillip Telesford, the leader of Government Business in the House, the Act follows the rest of the OECS so that Grenada will be in harmony with the rest of the region.

Guaranteed Pension

“Judges serving in any one of the territories can serve knowing that their pension is guaranteed regardless of the jurisdiction in which they served,” he told the House when he presented the Bill for debate and approval.

Consistency throughout the Region

“This is very automatic. We have to comply as a nation to make this consistent throughout the region,” said Telesford when he presented the Bill for debate and approval. There was little debate in the House for the legislation because only Clarice Modeste from the opposition was present, but she did not contribute to the discussion.

Support from Members

Dennis Cornwall, a Member of St Patrick East, and Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, a member of St David, supported the Bill. The Prime Minister said the Bill would affect the judicial officers assigned to Grenada. “At best, we have five High Court judges at any given time in Grenada,” he said.

Bill Provisions

The Bill makes provisions for the pensions and gratuities payable concerning the service of judicial officers of the Court. He provides that all pensions and gratuities payable under the Bill would be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund.

Retirement Age

The Bill further explains that a judicial officer must retire on or after attaining the mandatory retirement age after giving the Commission at least twelve months’ notice. Judicial officers retiring when the 2024 bill goes into effect will be at a different payable rate based on the years spent serving as a Judicial Officer.

Conclusion

The Lower House has approved the new pension and gratuities law for judicial officers, which will bring Grenada in line with the rest of the OECS. The Bill is now awaiting approval in the Upper House of Parliament.

FAQs

* What is the purpose of the Bill?
The Bill aims to harmonize the payment of Pensions and Gratuities to Judicial Officers under the OECS Supreme Court upon their retirement.
* Who will be affected by the Bill?
The Bill will affect judicial officers assigned to Grenada.
* What is the retirement age for judicial officers?
A judicial officer must retire on or after attaining the mandatory retirement age after giving the Commission at least twelve months’ notice.