Above: Chief Justice Hugh Rawlins and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas (Photo: Erasmus Williams)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hugh Anthony Rawlins, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, has announced his resignation, effective Aug. 1.

The Nevisian native had held the position of Chief Justice since May 2008, following the retirement of Sir Dennis Byron.

Byron is now the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain.

According to St Lucian Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, the current chairman of the OECS, a committee has been activated to pick his successor.

“We are aware that there have been a number of challenges faced by the courts and it is to the credit of the Chief Justice that some of those challenges were dealt with, and dealt with in the accustomed fashion that a Chief Justice would deal with problems of that nature,” Anthony said.

“We want to extend our deep thanks and our appreciation to the Chief Justice for serving the people of the OECS with dignity, character and with honour.”