Foreword to the First Edition

• Pages: 21-21
• Author: The Rt Hon Philip Telford Georges

FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION

It was clearly a daunting task to undertake the writing of a textbook on the law and

legal systems of the Commonwealth Caribbean. There are no fewer than 12

independent countries in the region, and six territories which remain dependencies of

Great Britain, though exercising various levels of self-government in the administra-

tion of their local affairs.

Though daunting, it was a task which had to be undertaken, particularly for the

benefit of the student who needed, as early as possible, to be exposed to the diversity

of legal institutions which now exist in the region and their potential for creativity and

development.

Rose-Marie Antoine has successfully accomplished the task. She has been particu-

larly effective in placing the legal institutions, and the content of the law itself, in the

context of their historical and social backgrounds. This enables her to discuss the

inhibiting effects that these have had, and to emphasise the opportunities which

independence affords to devise solutions reflecting the new spirit of independence

and nationhood.

This leads to a salutary emphasis on the Constitutions and the ideals of democratic

government and the recognition and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms

which the law and the legal systems of the region are designed to fulfil.

Issues of the day, such as the possible abolition of appeals to the Privy Council

and the setting up of a Caribbean Court of Appeal, are addressed in detail. The way in

which these issues are discussed can serve as a model, to a student, of the proper

approach to the serious discussion of contentious legal problems.

The inclusion of a chapter on alternative dispute resolution is admirable. It

impresses upon the student the importance not only of grasping the heritage of the

past and assessing its value, but also of looking into the future to pioneer new solu-

tions to the problems of the present.

The approach is refreshingly stimulating. There is the bedrock of accurate factual

material as well as trenchant comments on chances missed when opportunities for

innovations presented themselves.

Although the book is aimed primarily at students, it could be read with interest

and profit by everyone interested in the social and economic advancement of the

region.

The Rt Hon Philip Telford Georges,OCC

Barbados

October 1998