Tag:
Caribbean Court of Justice
Crime & Violence
CCJ Reinstates Manslaughter Case in Death of Caye Caulker Resident Hilberto Sotz
On January 20th, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) brought renewed attention to the 2015 death of then 18-year-old Hilberto Sotz after reinstating manslaughter charges against two police officers involved in the case. Sotz died while in custody at the Caye Caulker Police Station after allegedly being beaten by police officers Hallet King and Leonard Nuñez.
Government
The Revision of the Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules 2025
Chief Justice, Honourable Mde. Louise Esther Blenman, is pleased to announce the issuance of the Senior Courts of Belize Civil Procedure Rules 2025 (CPR 2025) published on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Government
The Judiciary of Belize operationalizes the Caribbean Court of Justice’s Academy for Law Needham’s Point Declaration
Chief Justice Honourable Mde. Louise Esther Blenman is pleased to announce that the Senior Courts of Belize have responded to the recommendations encapsulated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (C.C.J.) Academy for Law's “Needham Point Declaration on Criminal Justice Reform: Achieving A Modern Criminal Justice System” with the aim to reduce the backlogs in the criminal justice system.
Government
The Belize Maya Community rejects section of Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy draft
The Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Maya people of the Toledo District continue to be at odds over the draft Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy. Throughout January 2023, consultations have taken place within the district’s Maya villages to dialogue on the critical aspects of the policy, specifically Paragraph Five, which proposes only to recognize 0.75 to 1.8 mil.es from the center of the town as registered as Maya customary lands. The Ministry has emphasized that the Government of Belize (GOB) is not limiting communal lands to one kilometer but keeping the door open for input and mutual agreement by all interested parties.
Community and Society
Passing of Retired CCJ Judge, Mr. Justice Jacob Wit
Chief Justice, the Hon. Mde. Louise Esther Blenman, of the Senior Courts of Belize, on behalf of the Judiciary of Belize, expresses deep sorrow on the news of the passing of retired Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Mr. Justice Jacob Wit, on January 16, 2024.
Government
Pronouncements on Maya Land Rights
In light of recent public statements, the Government of Belize reaffirms its commitment to full compliance with the terms of the Consent Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice and to the implementation of a Maya Land Policy, which not only affords protection to the rights of the Maya people recognized by our courts but also addresses the concerns of other Belizeans which underpin the comments of Honourable Michael Espat. Finding an appropriate balance requires considerable deliberations both by expert consultants and the Cabinet sub-committee engaged in the process.
Government
Government Resolves Registry Debt at a Discount
The Government of Belize announced on August 22nd, 2022 that it has reached a discounted settlement for the financial damages payable to Belize International Services Ltd. (BISL). This is a result of the unlawful nationalisation in 2013, by the then UDP Administration, of the ships and companies registries, and the subsequent judgment by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in July 2020 against the government.
Government
CCJ rulings not favorable for Belize
Over the past few days, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has delivered judgments on matters involving the Government of Belize (GOB). The court handed down decisions unfavorable for Belize, first in the lawsuit against Trinidad and Tobago for allegedly breaching their obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. The second item involved an appeal between GOB and a private landowner, the Belmopan Land Development Corporation Limited (BLDC).
