by PHILIP SPOONER

THE SUNSET LEGISLATION – the laws for the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) – is set to rise across the isles of the Caribbean today.

Three of the nine territories failed to make the deadline, but this is however not a major concern for tournament organisers as Guyana, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago will soon enact the laws. These nations will not face penalties and will not forfeit their portion of the March 5 to April 28 event.

Derek Jones, senior legal counsel for the tournament, revealed this yesterday from his office in Kingston, Jamaica, and indicated everyone was comfortable with the situation.

He added that Guyana tabled the bill on Monday and the second reading is tomorrow. The Senate in Trinidad and Tobago read the bill yesterday and it will be examined in the House today, while Guyana was scheduled to read yesterday and debate it in the Senate on Friday.

The countries which have signed on so far are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Monday in Grenada both government and opposition supported the bill which will now go to the Upper House for final approval and signature by the island's
governor-general.

The Sunset Legislation Bill is a one-off measure which seeks to modify the application of the law during the CWC. It was set up to make provision for the efficient and effective staging of the World Cup and for all related purposes.

The legislation attempts to harmonise the way in which customs and immigration procedures are handled throughout the region; introduces the concept of ambush marketing; deals with the way in which the venues will be managed; and includes special provisions to be put in place for crowd control, traffic control and security.