Construction of Saint Lucia’s long-awaited Halls of Justice has reached a major milestone. On October 4, crews poured the first section of the foundation for the Annexe Building, which will house six new criminal courts.
The pour marked the beginning of construction after months of preparation and engineering work. Before construction began, regional experts carried out extensive studies of the ground beneath the site, drilling deep to assess soil and bedrock conditions. Based on these findings, engineers designed a durable foundation system using a combination of deep piles and a thick concrete base.
The piles, installed with a modern technique known as Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piling, reach about 21 metres — roughly the height of a seven-story building — down to solid rock. The newly poured section forms part of a one-metre-thick reinforced concrete slab that will rest on these piles, providing a stable platform for the building above.
In total, 155 cubic metres of concrete, around 22 truckloads, were used for this first pour.
“This foundation is built to last for generations,” said project manager Rishi Koonoo. “The Hall of Justice will serve the community for decades to come, and everything starts with getting the foundation right.”
The Annexe Building will significantly expand Saint Lucia’s judicial facilities, improving access to justice and easing pressure on the current court system.
Construction remains on schedule, with more foundation pours expected in the coming weeks.
The $143 million Hall of Justice project is being delivered through a Build–Own–Lease–Transfer (BOLT) arrangement by NH International (Caribbean) Ltd. The developer, THEMIS Holdings Limited, is providing all loan collateral, ensuring no financial risk to taxpayers. After a 12-year lease period, full ownership of the facility will transfer to the Government of Saint Lucia for just $1.
Once complete, the Hall of Justice will bring together Saint Lucia’s civil, criminal, and family courts under one roof, offering a modern, purpose-built home for the island’s justice system at the heart of Castries.
