Preparatory works are now underway on the site of the new Halls of Justice (HOJ), marking the beginning of construction for one of the most significant public investments in Saint Lucia’s history.
NH International (Caribbean) Ltd (NH), the Trinidad-based entity, contracted to undertake the project, has sought to give a clearer understanding of what the project entails in an effort to curb misinformation.
At a specially convened press conference on Thursday, the media was introduced to the various heads of the Halls of Justice Project. Director of THEMIS {the developer} John Peters sort to clarify the BOLT {Build–Own–Lease–Transfer} agreement citing a major misconception by some in the local community. “This model represents a major shift for Saint Lucia. Instead of long-term rental arrangements that leave government without assets, every payment under this BOLT structure builds equity in the Halls of Justice. It means that Saint Lucians will not only have a state-of-the-art facility today, but also secure ownership of it in the future.” He clarified that the agreement was not rental in nature as was previously believed. “It is a lease arrangement in which with every payment of the lease there is an equity as if it were built by the government until such time as the 48 lease payments are made. At the end of the 48 lease payment, or the 12 years, the government takes full ownership of the building inclusive of all of the fit outs that we have placed within the two buildings.”
John Peters went on to explain that between 2023 and 2025 quite a few adjustments had to be made including a complete relocation of the two buildings being built. “As you would know, the project initially started off here, where the existing courthouse was located. There were several engagements particularly with the Catholic Church, and the government decided that, for several reasons, it would have been more prudent to acquire the lands, which were the Adjodha lands next door, and to have that facility built in which you would have the criminal courts on one side, which is the old education building which was state owned, and all of the civil, family courts and commercial courts would be on the Adjodha lands which would become the main building.”
The 110,000 square feet facility is slated to accommodate a total 14 courts along with accommodation for 18 judicial officers, 9 judges and 9 magistrates.
The two buildings will be joined by a sky bridge. Other facilities include space for the Bar Association Secretariat, a lawyer’s lounge, provision for computer-aided transcription, and a coffee shop.
The designed is said to be of the highest resilience standards and is expected to be able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and major earthquakes.