Last case from Belize
6 July 2011
Comments by Lord Phillips at the beginning of the last appeal case from Belize to be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Board is grateful to the President of the Bar Association of Belize for her generous message (see below).
It is 30 years since Belize became independent. It has been a tribute to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council that Belize has chosen, over that period, to preserve its jurisdiction as the country's final court of appeal.
We appreciate the trust that has been placed in this tribunal and we are grateful for the assistance that we have received over the years from the Bar of Belize. We entirely understand that the time has come to cut the link with this jurisdiction and we extend our warmest good wishes to Belize, and to all who will practise and administer the law of Belize in the years to come.
Letter from President of the Bar Association of Belize dated 5 July 2011 (PDF)