New Caribbean Court of Justice President Urges Regional Support Amid Push for Expansion

The newly inaugurated president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Winston Anderson, has expressed optimism that more Caribbean nations will adopt the regional court as their final appellate authority during his tenure.

Anderson, a Jamaican jurist and the fourth person to lead the CCJ, made the remarks during his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday in St. James, Jamaica.

Despite being operational for over two decades, the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction has only been accepted by five of the 11 eligible Caribbean states – Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Dominica, and Saint Lucia.

“I am hopeful that during my tenure, other states will fulfill their treaty obligations and become full members of the appellate jurisdiction,” said Anderson, who emphasized the court’s growing influence across the region, even beyond those five member states.

Although all 12 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries were involved in the CCJ’s establishment, the court serves as the final arbiter only for matters under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in its original jurisdiction. In appellate matters, however, its rulings are increasingly cited and respected throughout the Caribbean legal community.

Anderson reiterated that the CCJ was “conceived and established by the people of the Caribbean to serve Caribbean interests,” and called for greater public engagement through expanded itinerant court sessions and digital access.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the event, praised the CCJ’s role in advancing justice and regional integration, and affirmed Jamaica’s commitment to strengthening Caribbean legal institutions – even as the country considers replacing the UK Privy Council with the CCJ as its highest court.

“Jamaica remains fully committed to regional legal cooperation and believes the CCJ, under Justice Anderson’s leadership, will continue to protect rights and expand access to justice,” Holness said.

As the CCJ enters its third decade, its leadership and regional stakeholders remain focused on expanding its reach, deepening public trust, and positioning the court as a central pillar of Caribbean integration and development.