Advanced Search

Whereas every person in Saint Lucia is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his or her race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
… (Sec. 1)

WHEREAS the People of Saint Lucia-
…
(b) believe that all persons have been endowed equally by God with inalienable rights and dignity;
(c) recognise that the enjoyment of these rights depends upon certain fundamental freedoms namely, freedom of the person, of thought, of expression, of communication, of conscience and of association;
(d) maintain that these freedoms can only be safeguarded by the rule of law;
…
(i) pledge their support for international peace and security, for friendly relations among nations and the promotion of universal respect for human rights and freedoms; and their co-operation in solving by peaceful means international problems of an economic, social or political character;
(j) desire that this Constitution shall reflect and make provision for ensuring and protecting these rights, freedoms and values.
… (Preamble)

Whereas every person in Saint Lucia is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his or her race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
… (Sec. 1)

WHEREAS the People of Saint Lucia-
…
(h) consider that individually, each person has duties towards every other and to the community and is under obligation to observe and promote the rights, freedoms and values recognised in this constitution;
… (Preamble)

Subject to the provisions of section 39(8), an appeal shall lie from decisions of the High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases—
…
(b) final decisions given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 16 (which relates to the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms); and
… (Sec. 107)

(1) If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 inclusive has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him or her (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person), then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) The High Court shall have original jurisdiction—
(a) to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of subsection (1); and
(b) to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (3),
and may make such declarations and orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive):
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
(3) If in any proceedings in any court (other than the Court of Appeal or the High Court or a court-martial) any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive), the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his or her opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
(4) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of subsection (3), the High Court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to Her Majesty in Council, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or, as the case may be, of Her Majesty in Council.
(5) The High Court shall have such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may be conferred upon it by Parliament for the purpose of enabling it more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
(6) The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which applications may be brought and references shall be made to the High Court). (Sec. 16)