In a broad legislative agenda outlined during Tuesday’s throne speech, Governor General Cyril Errol Charles announced major reforms, including breaking LUCELEC’s monopoly on electricity generation, strengthening witness protection laws and introducing plea bargaining to Saint Lucia’s justice system.
The government of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre also plans to regulate cannabis through a new advisory council, establish a Fingerprints Bureau to bolster crime detection, and streamline land titling for unplanned developments.
Additionally, amendments to the Electricity Supply Act will open the energy sector to new players, while revised succession laws will simplify small estate administration. These measures headlined a broad policy plan targeting crime, economic growth and public service improvements for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Key Reforms Announced
1. Breaking LUCELEC’s Monopoly
A major shift in energy policy will see the government amend the Electricity Supply Act to restrict Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) to fossil fuel-based generation only, ending its exclusive licence over renewable energy. The National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) will now oversee licensing for new market entrants, paving the way for increased competition and green energy investment.
2. Strengthening Witness Protection
To combat witness intimidation and improve prosecutions, amendments will allow witnesses to testify:
- In private (without public scrutiny)
- Via video recordings
- From outside Saint Lucia
- Through an intermediary
- The changes aim to encourage more cooperation with law enforcement in high-profile criminal cases.
3. Introducing Plea Bargaining
For the first time, plea bargaining will be formally incorporated into Saint Lucia’s legal system, applicable to both summary and indictable offences. The reform seeks to reduce court backlogs and speed up justice delivery.
4. Cannabis & Industrial Hemp Regulation
A Cannabis Advisory Council will be established to guide policy alongside the Regulated Substances Authority, signalling further steps toward a legal cannabis framework.
5. New Fingerprints Bureau for Crime Detection
A dedicated Fingerprints Bureau will be created to enhance forensic investigations by managing fingerprint collection, analysis, and database indexing.
6. Land Titling Reform for Unplanned Developments
The PROUD Programme, which assists landowners in formalising property rights, will transition into a corporate body to expedite land titling. Governor General Charles said, “It is intended that many occupiers of those lands will soon be able to gain title to a piece of Saint Lucia.”
7. Simplified Small Estate Administration
The threshold for the Registrar of the High Court to handle small estate administrations will increase from $5,000 to $25,000, reducing the burden on some families in inheritance cases.
8. New Patent Law for Innovation
Saint Lucia will adopt model OECS patent legislation developed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), administered by the Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property to encourage innovation and protect inventors.
While the throne speech covered additional priorities, including healthcare, infrastructure and the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), the focus remained on legislative action to drive reform.