he Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court opened the 2026 law year on Monday with plans to tighten oversight of artificial intelligence, expand digital court services, and accelerate criminal case processing across the region.
Addressing a special sitting of the High Court, Acting Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay said the court is drafting a formal framework to regulate how AI tools are used by judges and attorneys, as the judiciary increases its reliance on technology to manage proceedings and records.
She said the court is upgrading its AI transcription system, first rolled out in 2024, to improve the accuracy of court records and shorten the time required to deliver written judgments. While the technology offers clear efficiency gains, Findlay said the court is taking steps to ensure it does not undermine fairness or judicial independence.
The Acting Chief Justice said technology must support, not replace, the decision-making role of judges and the ethical obligations of the legal profession.
Findlay also announced plans to overhaul the court’s website to improve public access to information and online services, describing the platform as a critical link between the judiciary and the public.
She urged legal practitioners to fully adopt the Electronic Litigation Portal, noting that all case types have been integrated into the system but that inconsistent usage has limited its effectiveness. Court officials, she said, are continuing to address technical challenges faced by staff and users.
Criminal justice reforms are also advancing. Judge-alone trials are now underway in Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia — a shift the court expects will reduce delays caused by jury selection and help ease longstanding case backlogs.
The ECSC has completed revisions to criminal procedure rules, is finalizing updates to sentencing guidelines, and has circulated a draft criminal mediation framework for public feedback as part of a broader push toward alternative dispute resolution.
Findlay also announced the acquisition of a permanent, purpose-built headquarters for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Saint Lucia, ending a nearly 20-year effort to secure a dedicated home for the regional court.