The High Court is the superior trial court of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court sitting in this state, with resident judges based in Basseterre. Because this is a federation, the High Court also resolves disputes about the division of competence between the federal Parliament and the Nevis Island Assembly, and a resident judge sits in Charlestown for Nevis matters. Constitutional motions, judicial review of government action and jury trials for indictable offences all begin here.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Superior court of unlimited jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Unlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction at first instance, constitutional claims, admiralty and probate. Serious criminal charges are tried before a judge and jury.
- Seat
- Basseterre
- Established
- 1967
- Composition
- Resident High Court judges, sitting alone in civil matters and with a jury for indictable crime.
- Appointment
- Judges are appointed by the OECS Judicial and Legal Services Commission and may be posted between member states.
- Languages
- English
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.
Filing at this court
- E-filing
- Mandatory through the ECSC e-litigation portal
- Constitutional claim
- Fixed-date claim form supported by affidavit
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