Jamaica’s Winston Anderson appointed to Lead Caribbean Court of Justice

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have approved Jamaican jurist Justice Winston Anderson as the next president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), succeeding Justice Adrian Saunders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who retires later this year.

Established in 2001, the CCJ serves as the region’s highest court, replacing the London-based Privy Council. While most CARICOM nations recognize its Original Jurisdiction, only Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, and St. Lucia have adopted its Appellate Jurisdiction.

Based in Trinidad & Tobago, the CCJ also interprets the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas governing regional integration.

Barbados Prime Minister and CARICOM chair Mia Mottley confirmed the appointment, congratulating Anderson on his selection.

Justice Anderson, 65, has served as a CCJ judge since 2010. A graduate and former lecturer at The University of the West Indies (UWI) and Cambridge University, he earned a Ph.D. in International and Environmental Law in 1988.

He was called to the Bar of England and Wales the same year and later held academic roles in Australia and the Caribbean. He also served as CARICOM’s General Counsel (2003–2006) before becoming a UWI law professor. Anderson has authored several publications, including The Law of the Sea in the Caribbean and Caribbean Private International Law.

His appointment comes amid debate in Jamaica over whether to adopt the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction or establish its own final court. In January, Anderson argued that Jamaica has a legal obligation to join, emphasizing that the commitment transcends political administrations.

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party has cited a lack of consensus, while the opposition People’s National Party supports accession.