Construction is underway on the Halls of Justice in Castries, a $143 million project expected to bolster Saint Lucia’s judicial system by housing major courts under one roof for the first time.
Construction is scheduled to take two years and is being carried out under a “build, operate, lease, transfer” arrangement. Private developer Themis Holdings Limited, through NH International, will finance, design and construct the complex before leasing it back to the government for 12 years. At the end of that period, the state will take full ownership for a nominal sum of $1.
“This is the first time that such a Hall of Justice has been conceptualised and implemented,” said John Peters, director of Themis Holdings Limited.
“It will bring together the criminal, civil, family and commercial courts in one common space.”
The development will include 14 courtrooms, 18 chambers serving nine judges and nine magistrates, and offices for supporting staff.
Design coordinator Jabari Carmichael described the concept as “modern and contextual,” with dedicated access for judges and magistrates, and integrated features such as ramps, lifts and wide corridors to ensure accessibility. Renderings also reveal landscaped green space around the complex, a notable change from the current site.
With large-scale construction equipment operating in the city centre, safety protocols are being prioritised.
“Worker safety is one of our highest priorities,” said health, safety and environment officer Nevillion Bartholomew, who outlined mandatory training, protective equipment enforcement and frequent site inspections.
Beyond its functionality, Peters highlighted the symbolic significance of the location, noting its proximity to the Parliament building and the cathedral.
“If you look at the triangulation of it, you have the Parliament where laws are formed, the Hall of Justice where laws are applied, and the church, which represents the supreme law,” he said.
Peters stressed that the arrangement is designed to boost the local economy while delivering a long-term national asset.
How much will the 12 years of lease payments come to?
How much will the 12 years of lease payments come to? Will be much, much more than the 143mil stated. So a $1 payment at the end of the lease is only symbolic.