Justice Winston Anderson was officially sworn in as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Sunday during the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, held at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa in St James.
Describing the appointment as the “natural and distinguished next chapter” in the career of an exceptional regional jurist, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett praised Justice Anderson’s decades of legal scholarship and leadership.
“Today’s ceremony marks the logical next step in the professional trajectory of this extraordinary regional jurist,” Barnett stated during her remarks. “The Office of the President carries not only the highest responsibility for the judicial system but also embodies the trust and confidence of the people.”
Dr. Barnett noted that Anderson’s elevation comes at a pivotal moment for Caribbean jurisprudence, as the region navigates global shifts and rapid technological advancement. She emphasized that the CCJ presidency is not only about overseeing judgments, but also about setting the moral and institutional tone of the court.
“It is a role that calls for wisdom in judgement, integrity in conduct, and leadership in times of challenge and change,” she said. “This leadership will be crucial as we navigate complex legal issues in an era defined by technological change, social transformation, and global interconnectedness.”
In congratulating Justice Anderson on behalf of the Caribbean Community, Barnett invoked a familiar Jamaican proverb: “We are reminded by the wise Jamaican proverb that the older the moon, the brighter it shines. We are therefore confident that the wealth of experience you bring to your presidency… is in knowledgeable and capable hands.”
Justice Anderson, a Jamaican, becomes the third person to hold the CCJ presidency since the court was established under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. He succeeds Justice Adrian Saunders. The CCJ functions both as an international court interpreting the treaty and as the final court of appeal for CARICOM member states that have accepted its appellate jurisdiction.
Dr. Barnett closed her remarks with a message of regional pride and optimism: “I wish you the very best for your presidency. The region is proud of you.”
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