Castries, Saint Lucia – September 11, 2025 — Preparatory works are officially underway on the site of the long-anticipated Halls of Justice (HOJ), signaling the start of construction on what is being described as one of the most significant public investments in Saint Lucia’s history.
With an estimated project cost of EC$143 million, the Halls of Justice is the largest single investment in the judiciary in the Eastern Caribbean. The state-of-the-art facility will, for the first time, bring together the nation’s civil, criminal, and family courts, along with registries, chambers for judges and magistrates, a lawyer’s lounge, and modern amenities for staff and visitors.
The project is being delivered through a Build–Own–Lease–Transfer (BOLT) agreement, an innovative financing model where the developer designs, constructs, and manages delivery of the facility, while the Government meets payments over a 12-year lease. Ownership will then revert to the state for a nominal sum of EC$1.00.
“This model represents a major shift for Saint Lucia,” explained John Peters, Director of the developer THEMIS. “Instead of long-term rental arrangements that leave government without assets, every payment under this BOLT structure builds equity in the Halls of Justice. It means that Saint Lucians will not only have a state-of-the-art facility today, but also secure ownership of it in the future”.
The facility, spanning more than 110,000 square feet across two sites in Castries, will feature a main building on Laborie Street connected to an annex by a sky bridge. Construction officially began on August 11, 2025, and is expected to take two years. Once complete, the Halls of Justice will include 14 courts, 18 chambers for nine judges and nine magistrates, dedicated space for the Bar Association Secretariat, computer-aided transcription facilities, and even a coffee shop. The building is designed to meet the highest resilience standards, able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and major earthquakes, while specialized foundation methods will protect nearby historic landmarks, including the Minor Basilica.
The developers emphasized a strong focus on health, safety, and community relations. Nevillon Bartholomew, HSE Officer for NH International (Caribbean) Ltd., highlighted the guiding commitments of “Zero Harm, Sustainability, and Excellence through Improvement,” backed by training, risk assessments, and a culture of shared responsibility.
Project Manager Rishi Koonoo added “We are very mindful that this project is unfolding in the heart of Castries, surrounded by homes, businesses, schools, and institutions. That is why we are placing strong emphasis on consultation, cooperation, and an open channel for grievances.”
In addition to online platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, the team is also exploring physical drop boxes to make it easier for community members to share feedback and concerns without entering the construction zone.
When completed, the Halls of Justice will end decades of government spending on rented offices scattered across multiple buildings and instead provide a unified, purpose-built home for justice.
