A flag ceremony was held on October 11th 2010 at the Court in Philipsburg.In it’s place comes a Joint Court of Justice of First Instance of Curacao, Aruba, St.Maarten, Bonaire, Statia & Saba. The Courts in First Instance are now independent entities.
The Joint Court & the Courts in First Instance are one organization and the members of the Joint Court are similar to the old situation, also judges in the Courts in First instance.
This makes it possible for judges in St.Maarten to provide the administration of justice for Saba & Statia as well.
The new status of St.Maarten’s court will become visible in written verdicts. No longer will these verdicts be issued by the Court in First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles, seat St.Maarten, but by the court in First Instance of St.Maarten.