"Supreme Court of great importance for administration of Justice in the Antilles"

February 25, 2010 5:25 AM

Minister of Justice, Magali Jacoba recently consulted with Jan Watse Fokkens, attorney general with the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.

Lisbeth Hoefdraad, president of the Joint Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, accompanied the esteemed advisor during his visit to the Minister.

During the process of political changes, the islands had explicitly chosen for the Dutch legal system and enforcement of the cassation administration of justice. Jacoba sets great store by the guarantee position, which the Supreme Court fulfills for the independent administration of justice in a small society, such as the Netherlands Antilles and thereby guaranteeing the confidence in the administration of justice. Fokkens indicated that the Supreme Court also contributes towards the quality of the judges of the Communal Court of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. “The Supreme Court provides for annual courses, both civil and criminal, so that the incumbent judges could broaden their knowledge”, says Fokkens.

National Law regulates the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court with regard to court cases in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The Netherlands Antilles maintain the Dutch legal system and therefore have an appeal procedure. Anyone not agreeing with a decision from the judge may appeal to a higher court, which will handle the case again. One could also lodge an appeal against the decision of the court, by appealing to the court of cassation through a lawyer with the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague. The Supreme Court will not handle the case again but will consider whether the judges had applied justice correctly.

Fokkens, a former judge, advises the Supreme Court in its conclusions on criminal issues.
Fokkens had also paid a courtesy visit to Governor Frits Goedgedrag and Minister-President Emily de Jongh-Elhage. A visit to Lieutenant Governor Lisa Dindial, the Communal Court of Justice and the Pubic Prosecution (OM) was also scheduled.

(Source: National newspaper Amigoe)

24 February 2010