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By Caribbean News Global 
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, together with senior government officials and officials of the judiciary, March 19, 2026, opened the Criminal Backlog Reduction Court, marking another important step in strengthening the administration of justice and restoring public confidence in the justice system, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) announced.
The opening fulfils a commitment made in Prime Minister Pierre’s 2022/23 budget address:
Accessible justice for all Saint Lucians
“As an independent country, we are determined to provide greater access and affordability to justice for our people,” said Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, April 26, 2022, budget address.
“As it relates to our court system … there is an urgent need to address the backlog of cases in the courts. This backlog has been due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inadequate provision of resources. The Swift Justice Project, for which a sum of $2,278,600 has been approved in the estimates, will be geared toward reducing the backlog of criminal cases by increasing technical and administrative support to the Criminal High Court. This project is expected to reduce the processing time of cases to two years. While we try to address the issue of crime, we must not forget that it is a consequence of a breakdown in our society, where the value of family is being undermined by inadequate social support. We, therefore, will continue to take a holistic approach to address the issue of crime reduction and prevention.”
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- ‘Without people, there is no economy.’ Without ‘equity, justice and respect for the rule of law’ there is no country to govern!
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, in his second inauguration address on December 5, 2025, by the same token, is shaping a new ethos to “govern under the values of equity, justice and respect for the rule of law.”
According to the OPM, the government of Saint Lucia remains firmly committed to investing in the justice sector, supporting the judiciary, and delivering practical reforms that produce real results, emphasised:
“For too long, criminal matters have remained unresolved, with many cases pending for years. This initiative is designed to change that. The Criminal Backlog Reduction Court will help accelerate the hearing and disposal of long-outstanding matters, reduce delays, and improve overall judicial efficiency.” ~ OPM.
Other security interventions
Last April, Prime Minister Pierre advised:
“We have strengthened the judiciary with the necessary amendments to laws to punish guilty criminals … new laws pertaining to witness testimonies and witness protection will be enacted. However, while we, as a government, will play our role in helping improve citizen security, the society as a whole must promote by example the values of truth, hard work, discipline, love, and community as a basis for safety and security.
“We cannot ask young people to speak the truth when some leaders deliberately make inflammatory statements and spread disinformation for political mileage. We once more call on the support of the whole of society, churches, private, and civil society organisations to work collectively and collaboratively to combat the scourge of crime.”
‘Justice must be timely, fair and accessible’
The criminal justice system in Saint Lucia is under pressure from multiple fronts, including homicide and gang violence, corruption allegations, IMPACS and the Leahy Law, and much-needed legal reforms. However, notwithstanding budgetary support, recruitment drive, external support, and targeted operations, law enforcement and the crime landscape compound trust factors and systemic issues.
Meanwhile, the remand population at The Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) is not uncommon to persistent overcrowding and security concerns.
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- Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has included in his portfolio – Justice, Constituency Development & People Empowerment. The new philosophy is inevitably a powerful equation that is ‘People Focused.’
‘Historic step toward timely, accessible justice for All Saint Lucians’
In keeping with the government of Saint Lucia’s justice initiatives bearing fruit, “several other initiatives aimed at reducing the backlog of cases and reduction of the remand population at Bordelais,” per “Securing the Pillars for Sustainability,” Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Throne Speech.
‘St Lucia for all its challenges, is still a wonderful and endearing place,’ says governor general, December 17, 2025, quoting ‘support for law enforcement agencies’:
“Citizen Security and Safety will remain a high agenda item. All the empowering support for law enforcement agencies will be provided, so that they are sufficiently equipped to combat crime. However, the fight against crime cannot be the sole responsibility of law-enforcers.”
The OPM press release, March 19, 2026, advised:
“ The benefits to the public are clear: faster access to justice, less trauma for victims and families waiting on matters to be heard, fairer and more timely outcomes for accused persons, and greater confidence in the rule of law. A more efficient court system also strengthens national security by ensuring that justice is not delayed and that institutions work better for the people they serve.”
“Justice must be timely, fair and accessible. The opening of the Criminal Backlog Reduction Court is a decisive move in that direction.”
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