Professor Stephen Vasciannie, Head of the Department of Government at UWI Mona has been elected by the Organisation of American States (OAS) to fill the vacancy left on the Inter-American Judicial Committee (IJC), replacing Jamaica’s former Solicitor General, Dr. Kenneth Rattray. The OAS has announced that by acclamation, the member state representatives elected Professor Vasciannie during a regular session of the OAS Permanent Council, which approved the Jamaican government's nomination. Professor Vasciannie will serve the rest of the term which runs until December 31, 2005, on the juridical committee following Dr. Rattrey’s resignation due to ill health. The IJC serves the OAS as an advisory body on judicial matters of an international nature and promotes the progressive development and the codification of international law. Professor Vasciannie is also currently Consultant to the International Division in the Attorney General's Department.