Saint Lucia Launches First Coroner’s Court

Saint Lucia has launched its first Coroner’s Court, marking a significant development in the country’s judicial system. Operating within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court, the new court will investigate unexplained, sudden, violent or accidental deaths, as well as deaths in custody and suspected suicides. First appointed Coroner Magistrate Desma Charles emphasized that the court is a fact-finding process and is not intended to determine criminal guilt or impose punishment.