- 2001 – Announcement of intention by UK Government to commence a review of the Montserrat Constitution and a 6 person Commission is appointed to take the exercise forward;
Ø January 2002 – a wide ranging consultative exercise is launched by the Montserrat Constitutional Review Commission (consultations were undertaken with groups, individuals and legal persons on Montserrat and throughout the Diaspora);
Ø February 2003 – the Commission Report recommended a number of changes and modernization of the 1989 Montserrat Constitution Order as an outcome of the consultations (50 principal recommendations were made);
Ø 2003 – 2006 – Negotiations are ongoing between representatives of the Government of Montserrat (all Members of the Legislative Council) and representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Government. Three drafts of the proposed new Constitution Order are developed and discussed by all sides in public fora including radio and local community meetings;
Ø 2006 – Legislative Council appoints a Constitutional Education and Advisory Committee. The Committee’s recommendations inform and advise further deliberations of the council with a view to adopting the new Constitution Order;
Ø October 2007 – Sitting as a Committee of the Whole House, the Legislative Council reviews a fourth draft of the Montserrat Constitutional Order and recommends a number of issues for discussions in the continuing negotiations with the FCO;
Ø February 2008 – The Legislative Council again convenes as a Committee of the Whole House and agrees a ‘definition of Montserratian’ with the principal amendment that “the definition of Montserratian should remain in local legislation instead of the Constitution”;
Ø May 2010 – Provisional conclusion of negotiations between representatives of the Government of Montserrat and representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, although the document remained open to change. A Constitution Implementation and Advisory Committee is appointed;
Ø June to September 2010 – Amendments proposed by members of the public and legislators are incorporated into the final draft of the Constitution, following a three-month education campaign by the Constitution Implementation and Advisory Committee;
Ø October 7, 2010 – the Legislative Council voted 7-2 to adopt the Montserrat Constitution Order;
Ø October 13 , 2010 – the UK Privy Council adopted the Constitution Order 2010 as agreed upon between the people and Government of Montserrat and the FCO;
October 20, 2010 – the Constitution Order 2010 is laid on the floor of the UK Parliament for 21 days;
September 27, 2011 – The New Constitution Order 2010 is commenced in Montserrat, new offices sworn-in including the first Premier, Hon Reuben T. Meade.
The Constitution Order (2010) for Montserrat can be viewed online at www.constitution.gov.ms .
