Caribbean Court of Justice Honours New President Winston Anderson

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) held a Special Sitting in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday to officially welcome its new president, Justice Winston Anderson. Leaders from across the region, judges, and legal experts attended the event.

Justice Anderson’s swearing-in took place in early July in Montego Bay, Jamaica, just before the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting. In his speech, he said the CCJ has made it easier for Caribbean people to appeal legal decisions. He pointed out that Barbados went from 19 appeals in 20 years before the CCJ to 105 appeals in the 20 years after it was created.

He also called on more Caribbean countries to join the court’s Appellate Jurisdiction, saying that not doing so limits access to justice and slows the growth of Caribbean law.

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine from The University of the West Indies said his appointment is a win for Caribbean education and called for more judges who understand the region’s needs.